OT Assistant Salary

Altus vs Oklahoma City: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Altus, OK and Oklahoma City, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Altus, OK
$62,650
$30.12/hr
Oklahoma City, OK
$67,690
$32.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAltus, OKOklahoma City, OK
Median Salary$62,650$67,690
Hourly Rate$30.12$32.54
Entry Level (P10)$45,894$53,852
25th Percentile$53,578$60,103
75th Percentile$64,770$76,275
Top Earner (P90)$75,558$78,886
Total Employed5420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Altus ($62,650) and Oklahoma City ($67,690) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AltusOklahoma CityMedian Salary$62,650$67,690Entry Level (P10)$45,894$53,852Top Earner (P90)$75,558$78,886US Median $74,332

Verdict

Oklahoma City, OK offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Altus.

The salary gap between Altus and Oklahoma City is $5,040 (8.04%). Oklahoma City's median is -8.94% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Altus spans $29,664,Oklahoma City spans $25,034. Altus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Altus
P10 (Entry)$45,894
P25$53,578
Median$62,650
P75$64,770
P90 (Top)$75,558
Oklahoma City
P10 (Entry)$53,852
P25$60,103
Median$67,690
P75$76,275
P90 (Top)$78,886

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oklahoma City ($74,872 effective) pays 6.24% more than Altus ($70,472 effective).

Altus
Nominal: $62,650
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $70,472
Oklahoma City
Nominal: $67,690
CoL Index: 90.408
Adjusted: $74,872

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Altus if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Oklahoma City if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,690/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($78,886)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,872)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Altus grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Oklahoma City over the same period.

Altus, OK

+9.5%

$55,628 (2024) → $60,938 (2025)

Oklahoma City, OK

+10.3%

$59,700 (2019) → $65,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Altus or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $67,690/year, compared to Altus at $62,650/year — a difference of $5,040 (8.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Altus and Oklahoma City?

Altus occupational therapy assistants earn $30.12/hr while Oklahoma City hygienists earn $32.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Altus to Oklahoma City as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Altus and Oklahoma City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Altus = $70,472, Oklahoma City = $74,872), job availability (5 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Altus vs Oklahoma City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $45,894 in Altus and $53,852 in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City 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