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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Massachusetts employs 1,410 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $75,040 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)

Massachusetts median pay: $75,040 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $42,120
Experienced (75th percentile): $79,510
Top earners (90th percentile): $82,180
Employed in Massachusetts: 1,410
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Massachusetts markets:

Worcester: $76,570 (180 employed)
Boston: $75,300 (850 employed)
Cape Cod: $75,170 (50 employed)
Providence: $67,300 (440 employed)
Springfield: $64,250 (120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts

Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $75,040 median is worth closer to $70,926 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)

Massachusetts is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +16.3%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 220 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professions.

Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program at Bristol Community College, North Shore Community College, or Quinsigamond Community College.
Pass the NBCOT COTA exam.
Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professions for licensure. Renew every two years.

Official requirements: Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professions →

Training in Massachusetts

Greater Boston's academic medical centers, pediatric hospitals, school systems, and SNF network create strong OTA demand. Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts General, and Spaulding Rehabilitation are major employers. Massachusetts OTA wages are among the highest in the country, reflecting the state's high healthcare wages generally.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:

Berkshire Community College — Associate
Bristol Community College — Associate
Bunker Hill Community College — Associate
Fisher College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Massachusetts

Real Massachusetts outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Carlton-Willard Village Outpatient — Bedford
Boston University Rehabilitation Services — Boston
Select Physical Therapy — Concord
Linden Ponds Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic — Hingham
Sundance Rehabilitation Agency of Massachusetts — Holyoke
Select Rehabilitation LLC — Needham

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Massachusetts?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Massachusetts is $75,040 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $42,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $82,180. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Massachusetts?

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professions. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program at Bristol Community College, North Shore Community College, or Quinsigamond Community College.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Massachusetts?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Massachusetts metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Massachusetts metro areas, Worcester leads at $76,570, followed by Boston ($75,300), Cape Cod ($75,170). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Massachusetts?

Real Massachusetts options include Berkshire Community College, Bristol Community College, Bunker Hill Community College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +16.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 220 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professions (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.