Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Dover, NH: $77,121 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Dover, NH earns a median $77,121/year (≈ $37.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Dover's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $71,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Dover, New Hampshire, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $77,121 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the projected national median of $74,332. The salary range for these professionals varies from $59,690 at the lower end to $89,477 for those at the higher end of the scale. Local estimates are derived from state-level data and regional price parities, indicating that the local economy supports robust compensation for OTAs. For those considering further education, such as progressing from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master's in Occupational Therapy (MOT), this pathway can significantly enhance lifetime earning potential and job stability within Dover's growing healthcare sector.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,690 | $28.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,515 | $32.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,121 | $37.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,649 | $39.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,477 | $43.02 |
Median Salary Position
3.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, NH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,787 (2026 est.). At $77,121, the local median is 3.75% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be above the median
How Dover Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Dover median: $77,121/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $79,753 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.75% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dover, NH earn a median of $77,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.30% below the New Hampshire state average of $79,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,121 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,874 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,818
2025 BLS Actual
$75,013
2026 Current Est.
$77,121
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,818 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,302 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,661 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,524 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,551 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,013 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,121 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,288 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,818 (2019) to $75,013 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,288 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,470 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $59,690 – $68,515 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,515 – $77,121 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,121 – $81,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,649 – $89,477 |
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 Dover
In terms of the local job market, Dover employs five occupational therapy assistants, underscoring a tight-knit professional community. With a cost of living index of 107.3, the purchasing power of salaries may feel slightly compressed compared to national averages, impacting overall financial wellbeing. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, often due to the demands of patient care in those settings. Factors driving the disparity in pay include differences in productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services, which has affected settings like outpatient clinics. To maximize earnings in this area, OTAs should consider positions in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, seek to gain additional certifications, and keep informed about evolving regulations and market needs, particularly as demands fluctuate with the seasons.
More salary data for Dover, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Dover?
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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 $75,013 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Dover 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 Dover 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