Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in New Bedford, MA: $81,252 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in New Bedford, MA earns a median $81,252/year (≈ $39.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,887 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in New Bedford, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $81,252 as projected for 2026, reflecting a significant increase in compensation compared to the national median of $74,332. The local salary range varies from $59,887 at the 10th percentile to $99,446 at the 90th percentile, highlighting opportunities for growth based on experience and work setting. These figures arise from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for regional cost of living variations in New Bedford, which ranks above the national average. The competitive compensation in this city is indicative of the demand for skilled occupational therapy assistants, who are crucial in healthcare environments providing patient care and support.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,887 | $28.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,456 | $33.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,252 | $39.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,148 | $42.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,446 | $47.81 |
Median Salary Position
9.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,559 (2026 est.). At $81,252, the local median is 9.31% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be above the median
How New Bedford Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $81,252/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,687 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +9.31% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $81,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.31% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $80,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,252 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,887 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,010
2025 BLS Actual
$79,031
2026 Current Est.
$81,252
2019–2027 Growth
+19.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,702 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,031 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,252 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,535 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 12.9% from $70,010 (2019) to $79,031 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,535 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,525 (19.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $59,887 – $70,456 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,456 – $81,252 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,252 – $88,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,148 – $99,446 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in New Bedford
In New Bedford, the job market for occupational therapy assistants includes 24 employed professionals, making the competition for positions somewhat moderate. Given that the cost of living index is 108.5, which indicates a higher cost than the national average, the real value of salaries becomes essential for ensuring that take-home pay aligns with living expenses. Among the local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer higher pay compared to positions in schools or outpatient clinics, largely due to differing productivity expectations and service demands. Moreover, factors such as weekend or PRN incentives, along with varying contract lengths between school-year and year-round positions, contribute to salary disparities. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in New Bedford, exploring opportunities in acute care settings and pursuing additional credentials can enhance earning potential, especially in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting many settings.
More salary data for New Bedford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in New Bedford, MA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in New Bedford?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,031 for occupational therapy assistantsin the New Bedford metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for New Bedford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov