OT Assistant Salary

Alpharetta vs Augusta: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Alpharetta, GA and Augusta, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alpharetta, GA
$69,906
$33.61/hr
Augusta, GA
$69,685
$33.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlpharetta, GAAugusta, GA
Median Salary$69,906$69,685
Hourly Rate$33.61$33.51
Entry Level (P10)$49,450$48,639
25th Percentile$58,945$58,211
75th Percentile$75,536$76,645
Top Earner (P90)$84,351$84,037
Total Employed13100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alpharetta ($69,906) and Augusta ($69,685) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AlpharettaAugustaMedian Salary$69,906$69,685Entry Level (P10)$49,450$48,639Top Earner (P90)$84,351$84,037US Median $74,332

Verdict

Alpharetta, GA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Alpharetta and Augusta is $221 (0.32%). Alpharetta's median is -5.95% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alpharetta spans $34,901,Augusta spans $35,398. Augusta has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Alpharetta
P10 (Entry)$49,450
P25$58,945
Median$69,906
P75$75,536
P90 (Top)$84,351
Augusta
P10 (Entry)$48,639
P25$58,211
Median$69,685
P75$76,645
P90 (Top)$84,037

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($75,825 effective) pays 0.98% more than Alpharetta ($75,087 effective).

Alpharetta
Nominal: $69,906
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $75,087
Augusta
Nominal: $69,685
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $75,825

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alpharetta if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,906/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,351)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,825)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Alpharetta grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.6% growth in Augusta over the same period.

Alpharetta, GA

+9.5%

$62,070 (2024) → $67,995 (2025)

Augusta, GA

+18.6%

$57,170 (2019) → $67,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Alpharetta or Augusta?

Alpharetta has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,906/year, compared to Augusta at $69,685/year — a difference of $221 (0.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alpharetta and Augusta?

Alpharetta occupational therapy assistants earn $33.61/hr while Augusta hygienists earn $33.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alpharetta to Augusta as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alpharetta and Augusta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alpharetta = $75,087, Augusta = $75,825), job availability (13 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Alpharetta vs Augusta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $49,450 in Alpharetta and $48,639 in Augusta. The Alpharetta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% 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 Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov