OT Assistant Salary

Augusta vs Johns Creek: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$69,685
$33.51/hr
Johns Creek, GA
$67,642
$32.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAJohns Creek, GA
Median Salary$69,685$67,642
Hourly Rate$33.51$32.52
Entry Level (P10)$48,639$49,753
25th Percentile$58,211$58,413
75th Percentile$76,645$74,414
Top Earner (P90)$84,037$84,087
Total Employed10018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($69,685) and Johns Creek ($67,642) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AugustaJohns CreekMedian Salary$69,685$67,642Entry Level (P10)$48,639$49,753Top Earner (P90)$84,037$84,087US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Johns Creek is $2,043 (3.02%). 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,Johns Creek spans $34,334. 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
Johns Creek
P10 (Entry)$49,753
P25$58,413
Median$67,642
P75$74,414
P90 (Top)$84,087

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($75,825 effective) pays 4.36% more than Johns Creek ($72,655 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $69,685
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $75,825
Johns Creek
Nominal: $67,642
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $72,655

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

Choose Johns Creek if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,087)
  • 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 Johns Creek over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+18.6%

$57,170 (2019) → $67,780 (2025)

Johns Creek, GA

+9.5%

$60,060 (2024) → $65,793 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Augusta or Johns Creek?

Augusta has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,685/year, compared to Johns Creek at $67,642/year — a difference of $2,043 (3.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Johns Creek?

Augusta occupational therapy assistants earn $33.51/hr while Johns Creek hygienists earn $32.52/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Johns Creek. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $75,825, Johns Creek = $72,655), job availability (100 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $48,639 in Augusta and $49,753 in Johns Creek. The Johns Creek 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