OT Assistant Salary

Baltimore vs Catonsville: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Baltimore, MD and Catonsville, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$84,942
$40.84/hr
Catonsville, MD
$77,568
$37.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDCatonsville, MD
Median Salary$84,942$77,568
Hourly Rate$40.84$37.29
Entry Level (P10)$67,443$58,429
25th Percentile$76,758$67,725
75th Percentile$86,042$85,554
Top Earner (P90)$91,419$92,885
Total Employed31010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($84,942) and Catonsville ($77,568) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BaltimoreCatonsvilleMedian Salary$84,942$77,568Entry Level (P10)$67,443$58,429Top Earner (P90)$91,419$92,885US Median $74,332

Verdict

Baltimore, MD offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Catonsville.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Catonsville is $7,374 (9.51%). Baltimore's median is +14.27% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $23,976,Catonsville spans $34,456. Catonsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$67,443
P25$76,758
Median$84,942
P75$86,042
P90 (Top)$91,419
Catonsville
P10 (Entry)$58,429
P25$67,725
Median$77,568
P75$85,554
P90 (Top)$92,885

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($81,294 effective) pays 14.55% more than Catonsville ($70,968 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $84,942
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $81,294
Catonsville
Nominal: $77,568
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $70,968

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,942/year)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,294)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Catonsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,885)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Baltimore grew 34.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.4% growth in Catonsville over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+34.5%

$61,430 (2019) → $82,620 (2025)

Catonsville, MD

+0.4%

$75,135 (2024) → $75,448 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Baltimore or Catonsville?

Baltimore has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $84,942/year, compared to Catonsville at $77,568/year — a difference of $7,374 (9.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Catonsville?

Baltimore occupational therapy assistants earn $40.84/hr while Catonsville hygienists earn $37.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Catonsville as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Catonsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $81,294, Catonsville = $70,968), job availability (310 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Baltimore vs Catonsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $67,443 in Baltimore and $58,429 in Catonsville. The Baltimore area offers higher starting salaries.
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