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

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New Hampshire employs 150 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $67,790 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Hampshire licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in New Hampshire (May 2025)

New Hampshire median pay: $67,790 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,410
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,050
Top earners (90th percentile): $85,610
Employed in New Hampshire: 150
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

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

Boston: $75,300 (850 employed)
Manchester: $68,530

What That Pay Is Worth in New Hampshire

Prices in New Hampshire run about 4% above the national average (cost-of-living index 104.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $67,790 median is worth closer to $65,058 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Hampshire (2024–2034)

New Hampshire is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +17.6%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Hampshire License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the New Hampshire OPLC — Occupational Therapy Governing Board.

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply through OPLC.

Official requirements: New Hampshire OPLC — Occupational Therapy Governing Board →

Training in New Hampshire

Strong demand in rehab, pediatrics, and senior care. Confirm ACOTE accreditation and fieldwork placements.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Hampshire include:

Colby-Sawyer College — Associate
Manchester Community College — Associate
River Valley Community College — Associate
White Mountains Community College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in New Hampshire

Real New Hampshire outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Hhh Rehab Agency — Concord
Cpte Manchester Inc — Manchester
Cpte Inc — Nashua
Genesis Rehabilitation Services — Nashua
Hillsborough County Nursing Home — Goffstown
Merrimack County Nursing Home — Boscawen

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 New Hampshire?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in New Hampshire is $67,790 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,410, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $85,610. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the New Hampshire OPLC — Occupational Therapy Governing Board. Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in New Hampshire?

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

Which New Hampshire metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among New Hampshire metro areas, Boston leads at $75,300, followed by Manchester ($68,530). 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 New Hampshire?

Real New Hampshire options include Colby-Sawyer College, Manchester Community College, River Valley 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 New Hampshire?

New Hampshire projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +17.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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), New Hampshire statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the New Hampshire OPLC — Occupational Therapy Governing Board (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 New Hampshire wages · New Hampshire 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.