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Occupational Therapy Salary in Massachusetts: Is It a Good Career?

Massachusetts · 2026 BLS salary data

Occupational Therapy pay in Massachusetts

The median wage is $100,930/yr — 1% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Massachusettsranks #19 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Massachusetts

Real BLS state-level figures for Occupational Therapy.

Median salary
$100,930/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$83,960 – $110,180
National median
$100,330/yr
Employed in Massachusetts
6,510

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Massachusetts

Salary alone can mislead — Massachusetts costs 6% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
105.8
Nominal median
$100,930
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $95,397
State income tax
Up to 9%

Massachusetts's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #40 of 51, down from #19 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do occupational therapy professionals make in Massachusetts?

The median annual wage is $100,930 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $83,960 and $110,180. That's 1% above the national median.

Is Massachusetts a good state for occupational therapy?

By raw pay, Massachusetts ranks #19 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Massachusetts costs 6% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $95,397. Massachusetts's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #40 of 51, down from #19 on raw salary.

Are occupational therapy professionals in demand in Massachusetts?

About 6,510 people work in this field in Massachusetts (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +13.8% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Occupational Therapy nationally — Massachusetts pay is 1% above the national median. See the full Occupational Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Yes — occupational therapy combines strong pay, much-faster-than-average growth, and highly meaningful work. The main hurdle is the required master's or doctorate and the debt that comes with it.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong, above-median pay
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Deeply meaningful, hands-on rehabilitation work
  • Varied settings and populations
  • Good work-life balance relative to many health roles

Cons

  • Requires a master's or doctorate (OTD)
  • Significant graduate debt
  • Physically active, sometimes demanding
  • Productivity pressure in some clinics

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting meaningful, hands-on health care
  • Those who can invest in a graduate degree
  • Anyone valuing autonomy and patient relationships

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to pursue graduate study
  • Those seeking a fast, cheap entry

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Occupational Therapy is worth it — titles link to the original threads.