OT Assistant Salary

Atlanta vs Tucker: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$80,377
$38.65/hr
Tucker, GA
$65,749
$31.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GATucker, GA
Median Salary$80,377$65,749
Hourly Rate$38.65$31.61
Entry Level (P10)$62,066$49,005
25th Percentile$64,976$57,022
75th Percentile$81,230$70,728
Top Earner (P90)$92,519$78,119
Total Employed5908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($80,377) and Tucker ($65,749) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AtlantaTuckerMedian Salary$80,377$65,749Entry Level (P10)$62,066$49,005Top Earner (P90)$92,519$78,119US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Tucker is $14,628 (22.25%). 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,Tucker spans $29,114. 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
Tucker
P10 (Entry)$49,005
P25$57,022
Median$65,749
P75$70,728
P90 (Top)$78,119

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($80,330 effective) pays 13.75% more than Tucker ($70,622 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $80,377
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $80,330
Tucker
Nominal: $65,749
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $70,622

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 Tucker 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 Tucker over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+13.9%

$68,610 (2019) → $78,180 (2025)

Tucker, GA

+9.5%

$58,380 (2024) → $63,952 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Atlanta has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $80,377/year, compared to Tucker at $65,749/year — a difference of $14,628 (22.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Tucker?

Atlanta occupational therapy assistants earn $38.65/hr while Tucker hygienists earn $31.61/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Tucker. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $80,330, Tucker = $70,622), job availability (590 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $62,066 in Atlanta and $49,005 in Tucker. 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