Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Woonsocket, RI: $72,210 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Woonsocket, RI earns a median $72,210/year (≈ $34.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Woonsocket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $71,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Woonsocket is projected to reach a median annual figure of $72,210, which is slightly below the national average of $74,332. This local salary range spans from $55,851 at the 10th percentile to $88,362 at the 90th percentile, allowing for potential earnings that reflect varying experience levels and workplace settings. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for Rhode Island's regional cost of living adjustments. The moderate income level in Woonsocket reflects the employment landscape, where some professionals might consider advancing from certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) to masters-level occupational therapists (MOTs), which can substantially increase lifetime earnings in the field.
About the Woonsocket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,851 | $26.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,124 | $30.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,210 | $34.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,313 | $36.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,362 | $42.48 |
Median Salary Position
2.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woonsocket
In Woonsocket, RI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,511 (2026 est.). At $72,210, the local median is 2.85% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Woonsocket: You'd be above the median
How Woonsocket Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Woonsocket median: $72,210/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woonsocket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $74,674 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.85% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Woonsocket, RI earn a median of $72,210 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.85% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $74,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woonsocket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woonsocket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,210 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,851 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,754
2025 BLS Actual
$70,236
2026 Current Est.
$72,210
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Woonsocket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,754 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,143 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,416 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,097 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,002 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,210 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woonsocket metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,754 (2019) to $70,236 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,485 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woonsocket 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) | $55,851 – $64,124 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,124 – $72,210 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,210 – $76,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,313 – $88,362 |
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 Woonsocket
With only nine occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Woonsocket, the local job market reflects limited workforce supply against growing demand. The area's cost of living index stands at 100.5, slightly above the national average, which suggests that take-home purchasing power could be strained for many in the profession. Various employers in the region, such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, often offer the highest compensation rates; however, factors like productivity expectations and recent Medicare reimbursement cuts have pushed some wage negotiations downward, especially in outpatient and skilled nursing settings. Occupational therapy assistant pay in Woonsocket RI can be maximized by pursuing positions that offer better benefits or negotiating for weekend or PRN shifts, which often come with premium pay. Transitioning from a COTA to an MOT could also significantly enhance career prospects and salary potential, ensuring stability in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Woonsocket, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $70,236 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket 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