PayByState

Massachusetts · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Massachusetts

Median $116,040 · Top 10% earn $150,550+ · Roughly 3,645 workers in Massachusetts. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Massachusetts median
$116,040
$55.79/hr
Top 10%
$150,550
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$74,670
Entry-level range
Real pay
$104,919
CoL-adjusted (RPP 110.6)

Massachusetts pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $116,040 versus the national median of $98,340. Even after adjusting for Massachusetts's high cost of living, the real pay still leads the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 3,645 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Massachusetts

Massachusetts sits in the top quartile of U.S. occupational therapist pay. The structural drivers are typical of high-pay states for this occupation: strong hospital system concentration, limited credential supply, or regulatory frameworks that compress labor availability.

Top-paying metros in Massachusetts

Massachusetts-area metropolitan areas with the highest occupational therapist medians.

Massachusetts metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $95,400

Massachusetts ranks #5 of 50 states

Where Massachusetts sits in the national distribution for occupational therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Massachusetts
#3 New York $118,010 +$1,970
#2 District of Columbia $118,990 +$2,950
#1 Washington $119,970 +$3,930
#5 Massachusetts (this page) $116,040 —
#7 Alaska $114,070 −$1,970
#8 Oregon $112,110 −$3,930
#9 Hawaii $111,120 −$4,920
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Massachusetts

The typical path is a master's degree (entry-level) + state license; otd increasingly required, taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $40,000 (community college) to $150,000 (private accelerated). On the Massachusetts median of $116,040, payback periods are typically 1.8 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Occupational Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Massachusetts selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Massachusetts — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Massachusetts?
The median occupational therapist salary in Massachusetts is $116,040 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $74,670; the top 10% earn $150,550 or more. About 3,645 people work in this role across the state.
How does Massachusetts occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts's median of $116,040 is $17,700 above the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 110.6), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $104,919.
Where does Massachusetts pay occupational therapists the most?
Top-paying metros in Massachusetts include Boston-Cambridge-Newton at $95,400. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Massachusetts?
On the data: Massachusetts employs roughly 3,645 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $116,040 and the top decile clearing $150,550. The role is projected to grow +11% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Massachusetts?
At the Massachusetts median of $116,040 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $55.79/hr. The top 10% earn around $72.38/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $35.90/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Massachusetts-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1122: Occupational Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Massachusetts's RPP is 110.6 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.