Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Northampton, MA: $77,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Northampton, MA earns a median $77,195/year (≈ $37.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Northampton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $71,147 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Northampton, Massachusetts, command a 2026 median annual salary of $77,195, which reflects a competitive edge over the national median of $74,332. The salary range spans from $58,138 at the 10th percentile to $93,001 at the 90th percentile, indicative of the various settings in which these professionals operate. Working conditions have evolved post-Medicare cuts, influencing earnings specifically within skilled nursing facilities. For occupational therapy assistants in Northampton, these figures represent local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living. The employment landscape here is notably niche, with local opportunities prominently shaped by the facilities servicing behavioral, educational, and rehabilitative needs.
About the Northampton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,138 | $27.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,633 | $32.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,195 | $37.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,589 | $40.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,001 | $44.71 |
Median Salary Position
3.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Northampton
In Northampton, MA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,863 (2026 est.). At $77,195, the local median is 3.85% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Northampton: You'd be above the median
How Northampton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Northampton median: $77,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Northampton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,663 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.85% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Northampton, MA earn a median of $77,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.85% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Northampton has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Northampton, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,195 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,147 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,879
2025 BLS Actual
$75,085
2026 Current Est.
$77,195
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Northampton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,879 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,364 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,108 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,725 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,591 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,773 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Northampton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,879 (2019) to $75,085 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,485 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Northampton 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) | $58,138 – $67,633 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,633 – $77,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,195 – $83,589 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,589 – $93,001 |
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 Northampton
In Northampton, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is somewhat limited, with only six positions currently filled. Yet, the cost of living in the area, reflected in a 108.5 index, necessitates consideration when evaluating take-home pay, as it indicates expenses exceed the national average. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest pay rates among local employers, while school contracts often provide a more stable, year-round income. This divergence in compensation can be traced to differences in productivity expectations and service delivery models, influenced by recent changes in Medicare reimbursement that have compressed pay in certain sectors. To improve earning potential, local occupational therapy assistants should prioritize opportunities in higher-paying settings, seek advanced certifications through NBCOT, and explore potential COTA-to-MOT bridge programs.
More salary data for Northampton, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Northampton, MA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Northampton?
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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 $75,085 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Northampton 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 Northampton 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