Occupational Therapist Salary in Worcester, MA
Occupational Therapists in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median $98,300 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,289 take-home, or $6,107 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median occupational therapist salary in Worcester, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,796
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,095
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,425
- Massachusetts income tax$4,695
- Take-home pay$73,289
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
Occupational Therapist pay by experience in Worcester, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,810 | $30.68 | $50,481 | $4,207 |
| 25th percentile | $80,830 | $38.86 | $61,872 | $5,156 |
| Median (50th) | $98,300 | $47.26 | $73,289 | $6,107 |
| 75th percentile | $106,220 | $51.07 | $78,465 | $6,539 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,780 | $59.51 | $89,901 | $7,492 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,300 buys in Worcester, MA
Prices in Worcester, MA are 2.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median occupational therapist's $73,289 take-home pay has the buying power of $71,485 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Worcester, MA has 2.2× the national concentration of occupational therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for occupational therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Worcester, MA ranks #53 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $122,050 | $94,687 | $96,555 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $107,650 | $84,562 | $89,279 |
| 3 | Fayetteville, AR | $107,830 | $80,696 | $88,334 |
| 4 | Little Rock, AR | $104,680 | $78,603 | $87,958 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $110,520 | $86,581 | $86,395 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $103,840 | $79,808 | $86,099 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $136,870 | $94,538 | $85,614 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $103,080 | $77,254 | $85,450 |
| 53 | Worcester, MA | $98,300 | $73,289 | $71,485 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
Occupational Therapist salaries elsewhere in Massachusetts
- Boston, MA — $101,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Worcester, MA?
The median occupational therapist salary in the Worcester, MA metro area is $98,300 a year, or about $47.26 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,830 and $106,220.
What is a occupational therapist’s take-home pay in Worcester, MA?
On the median $98,300 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $73,289 a year ($6,107 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,695 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $100,330. Local prices are 2.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $71,485 would in a typical U.S. city. Worcester, MA ranks #53 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a occupational therapist afford rent in Worcester, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Worcester, MA is $1,558 a month ($1,997 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median occupational therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
- Physician Assistant — $152,860
- Nurse Practitioner — $135,120
- Pharmacist — $132,930
- Physical Therapist — $103,790
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $103,090
- Dental Hygienist — $100,460
- Registered Nurse — $100,240
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $100,130
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $79,060
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $77,240
- Emergency Medical Technician — $50,560
- Psychiatric Technician — $49,890