State market profile
Massachusetts OT job market
Compare Massachusetts using BLS occupational therapist wage, employment, density, and concentration data from the May 2025 OEWS release, then review metro, school, and employer context.
State rank #3$99,730 mean wage6,510 OT jobs1.71 location quotient
Market snapshot
How Massachusetts compares for occupational therapists
The state score balances pay, role depth, role density, and occupational concentration. BLS wage and job-market measures stay visible so readers can understand the rank.
Our take
Massachusetts OT market assessment
Why it stands out
- Massachusetts is one of the five highest-ranked OT job markets in this edition, based on pay, number of jobs, jobs per 1,000 workers, and the state's concentration of OT employment.
- BLS estimates 6,510 OT jobs statewide. That is enough depth to create real employer choice, though the strongest options may still cluster in a few metros.
- The 1.71 location quotient is well above the national baseline, so OT roles have an unusually strong presence in the state's labor market.
Tradeoffs that matter
- Mean pay varies by $14,010 across the listed metros. The statewide rank hides a material location decision within the state.
What to compare next
- Compare the highest- and lowest-paying Massachusetts metros before using the statewide $100,930 median in an offer decision.
- Put Massachusetts beside New Jersey on job count and OT concentration; nearby ranks can be built from very different kinds of opportunity.
- Compare settings separately inside the state. A strong hospital market does not automatically mean equally strong school, outpatient, or home-health options.
How to read the numbers
What the state data means in practice
Statewide averages are a useful first comparison, but your decision still depends on the metro area, employer, clinical setting, and cost of living.
Pay shape
The mean and median wage are close, so the published average is reasonably representative of a typical OT job in the state.
Market depth
BLS estimates 6,510 OT jobs statewide. That is enough depth to create real employer choice, though the strongest options may still cluster in a few metros.
Role concentration
The 1.71 location quotient is well above the national baseline, so OT roles have an unusually strong presence in the state's labor market.
Metro markets
Best Massachusetts metro markets for OTs
Metro rows help separate statewide strength from the cities where jobs, wages, and OT concentration are actually concentrated.
| Metro | Rank | Mean wage | Employment | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Score 65.0 | #1 | $100,730 | 4,790 | 1.70 LQ; 1.77 per 1,000 jobs |
| Worcester, MA Score 62.3 | #7 | $96,420 | 790 | 2.17 LQ; 2.27 per 1,000 jobs |
| Springfield, MA Score 53.3 | #38 | $94,040 | 390 | 1.85 LQ; 1.93 per 1,000 jobs |
| Barnstable Town, MA Score 52.7 | #40 | $104,220 | 170 | 1.69 LQ; 1.77 per 1,000 jobs |
| Pittsfield, MA Score 43.3 | #126 | $90,210 | 100 | 1.69 LQ; 1.76 per 1,000 jobs |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA Score 40.4 | #173 | $97,200 | 90 | 1.28 LQ; 1.34 per 1,000 jobs |
Programs
OT and OTA programs in Massachusetts
Program supply matters for applicants, fieldwork access, and local clinical networks. These rows point to school profiles where available.
| Program | Location | Degree | NBCOT |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGH Institute of Health Professions 1-24% distance; next review 2033/2034 | Boston, MA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Springfield College 1-24% distance; next review 2031/2032 | Springfield, MA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Tufts University Campus-based; next review 2028/2029 | Medford, MA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Worcester State University 1-24% distance; next review 2030/2031 | Worcester, MA | OT Masters | 97% |
| Boston University, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Sargent College) 1-24% distance; next review 2035/2036 | Boston, MA | OT Doctorate | 95% |
| Springfield College Campus-based; next review 2034/2035 | Springfield, MA | OT Masters | 95% |
Compare states
Other strong OT state markets
Use peer states to check whether a relocation, school decision, or salary negotiation is anchored in the right labor-market comparison.
Rank #1
New Jersey
$110,150 mean wage; 6,290 OT jobs; 1.41 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #2California
$121,920 mean wage; 13,810 OT jobs; 0.73 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #4Connecticut
$102,140 mean wage; 3,150 OT jobs; 1.77 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #5Arkansas
$104,940 mean wage; 2,160 OT jobs; 1.59 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #6Colorado
$111,620 mean wage; 3,390 OT jobs; 1.13 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #7Texas
$107,630 mean wage; 13,400 OT jobs; 0.91 location quotient.
Open state profile
Massachusetts deserves serious consideration as a top-3 OT market. The appeal is broad rather than salary-only: it combines a substantial employer base with at least average OT concentration. The $100,930 median is the better anchor for a typical offer than the higher or lower mean. Because the page includes 6 metros, the statewide result should be used to choose a region, not to value a specific offer.