Occupational Therapist Salary in Lewiston, ME: $86,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Lewiston, ME earns a median $86,890/year (≈ $41.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $91,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.6% below the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Lewiston, ME, can expect a median annual salary of $86,890, which reflects a competitive but slightly lower earning potential compared to the national median of $103,400. The salary range spans from $65,711 at the 10th percentile to $103,884 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant disparity based on experience, certifications, and specialization. According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, Lewiston's occupational therapist market offers a compelling salary structure, particularly for those with the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) specialty, which commands a premium in pay. This local market supports approximately 90 occupational therapists, who play a critical role in healthcare and rehabilitation services, thus reinforcing the demand for skilled professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,711 | $31.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,201 | $39.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,890 | $41.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,711 | $47.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,884 | $49.94 |
Median Salary Position
15.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ME, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,173 (2026 est.). At $86,890, the local median is 15.97% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be above the median
How Lewiston Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $86,890/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $102,950 | -15.60% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -15.97% less |
Occupational Therapists in Lewiston, ME earn a median of $86,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.97% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 15.60% below the Maine state average of $102,950.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 5.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ME has a cost-of-living index of 94.736 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $86,890 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,718 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,170
2025 BLS Actual
$84,310
2026 Current Est.
$86,890
2019–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,549 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 31.4% from $64,170 (2019) to $84,310 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,549 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,379 (39.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,711 – $82,201 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,201 – $86,890 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,890 – $99,711 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,711 – $103,884 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Lewiston
The job market for occupational therapists in Lewiston shows promising growth, bolstered by a projected annual growth rate of 3.06%. The local cost-of-living index stands at 94.736, which suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, residents benefit from an affordable lifestyle that enhances their purchasing power. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the highest pay levels, capitalizing on the complexity of care provided there. The pay disparities largely stem from the working environment—hospital jobs typically offer more than school positions, not to mention various certifications like CHT can further increase competitiveness for higher-paying roles. For occupational therapists looking to maximize their earnings in this market, seeking employment in specialty areas and exploring opportunities in private practice or home health agencies might yield better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Lewiston, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Lewiston, ME in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Lewiston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Lewiston?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $84,310 for occupational therapistsin the Lewiston metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov