Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bedford, NH: $75,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bedford, NH earns a median $75,119/year (≈ $36.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bedford's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $70,008 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $75,119 for 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Bedford, New Hampshire are earning slightly above the national average of $74,332. The full salary range spans from $53,931 at the lowest decile to $89,848 at the highest, offering a competitive landscape for COTAs in the region. These figures, derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect the economic factors driving pay in Bedford's healthcare market. As demand for skilled therapists continues to rise, the variability in salary underscores the importance of productivity and the number of visits per day that can drastically influence compensation for occupational therapy assistants.
About the Bedford Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,931 | $25.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,269 | $32.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,119 | $36.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,402 | $39.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,848 | $43.20 |
Median Salary Position
1.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bedford
In Bedford, NH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,917 (2026 est.). At $75,119, the local median is 1.06% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bedford: You'd be above the median
How Bedford Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bedford median: $75,119/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $79,744 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.06% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bedford, NH earn a median of $75,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.06% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.80% below the New Hampshire state average of $79,744.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bedford has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bedford, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,119 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,008 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,162
2025 BLS Actual
$73,066
2026 Current Est.
$75,119
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,607 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,384 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,931 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,721 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,230 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bedford metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,162 (2019) to $73,066 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,068 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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) | $53,931 – $68,269 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,269 – $75,119 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,119 – $81,402 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,402 – $89,848 |
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 Bedford
Within Bedford, the local job market for occupational therapy assistants is modest, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The higher cost of living index at 107.3 indicates that purchasing power can be limited, making salary negotiations especially important. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services often provide higher pay compared to school districts and outpatient clinics. Factors driving pay differentials include work settings; for example, hospital environments typically offer more competitive compensation than educational settings, reflecting productivity demands. To maximize earning potential, COTAs should consider seeking employment in varied settings, pursuing additional credentials, and negotiating contracts that account for the recent Medicare reimbursement cuts affecting pay structures.
More salary data for Bedford, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bedford, NH in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bedford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in 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 $73,066 for occupational therapy assistantsin the 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 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