Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in East Providence, RI: $74,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in East Providence, RI earns a median $74,047/year (≈ $35.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in East Providence's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $73,679 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salary in East Providence, Rhode Island, shows promising figures for 2026, with a median annual salary of $74,047. This reflects a slight dip compared to the national average of $74,332, indicating a competitive local wage despite varying employment settings. The salary range highlights significant variability, stretching from $54,184 at the 10th percentile to $89,461 at the 90th. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, suggest careful consideration of the distinct divides in employment among skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, especially in light of recent Medicare cuts, which have reshaped compensation dynamics, particularly in long-term care facilities.
About the East Providence Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,184 | $26.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,532 | $30.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,047 | $35.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,502 | $38.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,461 | $43.01 |
Median Salary Position
0.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Providence
In East Providence, RI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,277 (2026 est.). At $74,047, the local median is 0.38% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in East Providence: You'd be above the median
How East Providence Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
East Providence median: $74,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $74,719 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.38% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in East Providence, RI earn a median of $74,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.38% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% below the Rhode Island state average of $74,719.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Providence has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,047 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,679 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,274
2025 BLS Actual
$72,023
2026 Current Est.
$74,047
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in East Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,699 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,493 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,004 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,753 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,733 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,023 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,128 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Providence metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,274 (2019) to $72,023 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,128 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,854 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Providence 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) | $54,184 – $63,532 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,532 – $74,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,047 – $80,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,502 – $89,461 |
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 East Providence
With only 10 active occupational therapy assistants employed in East Providence, the local job market reflects a tight but steady demand for these professionals. The cost of living index, slightly above the national average at 100.5, impacts take-home purchasing power, making it crucial for COTAs to seek employment in higher-paying environments such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient clinics. The disparity in pay between these settings often stems from factors such as productivity expectations, contract types, and potential weekend or PRN premiums. Considering the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on skilled nursing facilities, COTAs can maximize their pay in East Providence by targeting employers that offer year-round contracts or school district opportunities, as these positions may also yield greater stability and benefits tailored for OTs and COTAs pursuing additional qualifications.
More salary data for East Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in East Providence, RI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in East Providence?
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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 $72,023 for occupational therapy assistantsin the East Providence 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 East Providence 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