OT Assistant Salary

Augusta vs Canton: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$69,685
$33.51/hr
Canton, GA
$65,593
$31.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GACanton, GA
Median Salary$69,685$65,593
Hourly Rate$33.51$31.53
Entry Level (P10)$48,639$48,362
25th Percentile$58,211$56,701
75th Percentile$76,645$71,696
Top Earner (P90)$84,037$80,122
Total Employed1004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($69,685) and Canton ($65,593) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AugustaCantonMedian Salary$69,685$65,593Entry Level (P10)$48,639$48,362Top Earner (P90)$84,037$80,122US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Canton is $4,092 (6.24%). Augusta's median is -6.25% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $35,398,Canton spans $31,760. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$48,639
P25$58,211
Median$69,685
P75$76,645
P90 (Top)$84,037
Canton
P10 (Entry)$48,362
P25$56,701
Median$65,593
P75$71,696
P90 (Top)$80,122

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($75,825 effective) pays 7.62% more than Canton ($70,454 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $69,685
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $75,825
Canton
Nominal: $65,593
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $70,454

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,685/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,037)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,825)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Canton if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Augusta grew 18.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.5% growth in Canton over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+18.6%

$57,170 (2019) → $67,780 (2025)

Canton, GA

+9.5%

$58,241 (2024) → $63,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Augusta has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,685/year, compared to Canton at $65,593/year — a difference of $4,092 (6.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Canton?

Augusta occupational therapy assistants earn $33.51/hr while Canton hygienists earn $31.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Canton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $75,825, Canton = $70,454), job availability (100 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $48,639 in Augusta and $48,362 in Canton. The Augusta 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