OT Assistant Salary

Atlanta vs Newnan: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$80,377
$38.65/hr
Newnan, GA
$66,592
$32.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GANewnan, GA
Median Salary$80,377$66,592
Hourly Rate$38.65$32.02
Entry Level (P10)$62,066$51,014
25th Percentile$64,976$58,771
75th Percentile$81,230$72,523
Top Earner (P90)$92,519$80,909
Total Employed59010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($80,377) and Newnan ($66,592) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AtlantaNewnanMedian Salary$80,377$66,592Entry Level (P10)$62,066$51,014Top Earner (P90)$92,519$80,909US Median $74,332

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Newnan.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Newnan is $13,785 (20.70%). Atlanta's median is +8.13% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $30,453,Newnan spans $29,895. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$62,066
P25$64,976
Median$80,377
P75$81,230
P90 (Top)$92,519
Newnan
P10 (Entry)$51,014
P25$58,771
Median$66,592
P75$72,523
P90 (Top)$80,909

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($80,330 effective) pays 12.31% more than Newnan ($71,527 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $80,377
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $80,330
Newnan
Nominal: $66,592
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $71,527

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,377/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,519)
  • Larger job market (590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,330)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Newnan if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Atlanta grew 13.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.5% growth in Newnan over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+13.9%

$68,610 (2019) → $78,180 (2025)

Newnan, GA

+9.5%

$59,128 (2024) → $64,772 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Atlanta or Newnan?

Atlanta has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $80,377/year, compared to Newnan at $66,592/year — a difference of $13,785 (20.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Newnan?

Atlanta occupational therapy assistants earn $38.65/hr while Newnan hygienists earn $32.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Newnan as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Newnan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $80,330, Newnan = $71,527), job availability (590 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Atlanta vs Newnan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $62,066 in Atlanta and $51,014 in Newnan. The Atlanta 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