OT Assistant Salary

Austin vs Wylie: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Austin, TX and Wylie, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$83,790
$40.29/hr
Wylie, TX
$77,869
$37.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXWylie, TX
Median Salary$83,790$77,869
Hourly Rate$40.29$37.43
Entry Level (P10)$83,790$52,840
25th Percentile$83,790$64,158
75th Percentile$98,595$84,283
Top Earner (P90)$98,595$94,497
Total Employed1,19010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($83,790) and Wylie ($77,869) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AustinWylieMedian Salary$83,790$77,869Entry Level (P10)$83,790$52,840Top Earner (P90)$98,595$94,497US Median $74,332

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wylie.

The salary gap between Austin and Wylie is $5,921 (7.60%). Austin's median is +12.72% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $14,805,Wylie spans $41,657. Wylie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$83,790
P25$83,790
Median$83,790
P75$98,595
P90 (Top)$98,595
Wylie
P10 (Entry)$52,840
P25$64,158
Median$77,869
P75$84,283
P90 (Top)$94,497

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($85,442 effective) pays 5.34% more than Wylie ($81,114 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $83,790
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $85,442
Wylie
Nominal: $77,869
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $81,114

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,790/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,595)
  • Larger job market (1,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,442)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Wylie if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Austin grew 21.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.4% growth in Wylie over the same period.

Austin, TX

+21.8%

$66,920 (2019) → $81,500 (2025)

Wylie, TX

+4.4%

$72,540 (2024) → $75,741 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Austin or Wylie?

Austin has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,790/year, compared to Wylie at $77,869/year — a difference of $5,921 (7.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Wylie?

Austin occupational therapy assistants earn $40.29/hr while Wylie hygienists earn $37.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Wylie as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Wylie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $85,442, Wylie = $81,114), job availability (1,190 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Austin vs Wylie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $83,790 in Austin and $52,840 in Wylie. The Austin 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