OT Assistant Salary

Aurora vs Longmont: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Aurora, CO and Longmont, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$77,406
$37.22/hr
Longmont, CO
$75,602
$36.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, COLongmont, CO
Median Salary$77,406$75,602
Hourly Rate$37.22$36.34
Entry Level (P10)$53,128$56,459
25th Percentile$64,392$65,926
75th Percentile$86,375$83,810
Top Earner (P90)$99,528$95,048
Total Employed5415
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($77,406) and Longmont ($75,602) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AuroraLongmontMedian Salary$77,406$75,602Entry Level (P10)$53,128$56,459Top Earner (P90)$99,528$95,048US Median $74,332

Verdict

Aurora, CO offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Longmont.

The salary gap between Aurora and Longmont is $1,804 (2.39%). Aurora's median is +4.14% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $46,400,Longmont spans $38,589. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$53,128
P25$64,392
Median$77,406
P75$86,375
P90 (Top)$99,528
Longmont
P10 (Entry)$56,459
P25$65,926
Median$75,602
P75$83,810
P90 (Top)$95,048

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aurora ($73,720 effective) pays 2.39% more than Longmont ($72,002 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $77,406
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $73,720
Longmont
Nominal: $75,602
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $72,002

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,406/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,528)
  • Larger job market (54 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,720)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Longmont if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Aurora grew 2.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.6% growth in Longmont over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+2.7%

$73,324 (2024) → $75,290 (2025)

Longmont, CO

+4.6%

$70,287 (2024) → $73,536 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Aurora or Longmont?

Aurora has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,406/year, compared to Longmont at $75,602/year — a difference of $1,804 (2.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Longmont?

Aurora occupational therapy assistants earn $37.22/hr while Longmont hygienists earn $36.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Longmont as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Longmont. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $73,720, Longmont = $72,002), job availability (54 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Aurora vs Longmont?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,128 in Aurora and $56,459 in Longmont. The Longmont 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