Occupational Therapist Pay

Somerville vs Springfield: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Somerville, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Somerville, MA
$103,354
$49.69/hr
Springfield, MA
$99,401
$47.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSomerville, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$103,354$99,401
Hourly Rate$49.69$47.79
Entry Level (P10)$74,042$66,185
25th Percentile$84,367$82,675
75th Percentile$119,060$106,461
Top Earner (P90)$133,290$128,062
Total Employed20390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Somerville ($103,354) and Springfield ($99,401) occupational therapist salaries.SomervilleSpringfieldMedian Salary$103,354$99,401Entry Level (P10)$74,042$66,185Top Earner (P90)$133,290$128,062US Median $103,400

Verdict

Somerville, MA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between Somerville and Springfield is $3,953 (3.98%). Somerville's median is -0.04% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Somerville spans $59,248,Springfield spans $61,877. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Somerville
P10 (Entry)$74,042
P25$84,367
Median$103,354
P75$119,060
P90 (Top)$133,290
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$66,185
P25$82,675
Median$99,401
P75$106,461
P90 (Top)$128,062

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($103,477 effective) pays 8.63% more than Somerville ($95,257 effective).

Somerville
Nominal: $103,354
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $95,257
Springfield
Nominal: $99,401
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $103,477

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Somerville if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,354/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,290)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,477)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Somerville grew -5.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Somerville, MA

+-5.0%

$105,581 (2024) → $100,285 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+17.7%

$81,930 (2019) → $96,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Somerville or Springfield?

Somerville has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $103,354/year, compared to Springfield at $99,401/year — a difference of $3,953 (3.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Somerville and Springfield?

Somerville occupational therapists earn $49.69/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $47.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Somerville to Springfield as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Somerville and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Somerville = $95,257, Springfield = $103,477), job availability (20 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Somerville vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $74,042 in Somerville and $66,185 in Springfield. The Somerville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov