OT Assistant Salary

Bixby vs Tulsa: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Bixby, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bixby, OK
$63,337
$30.45/hr
Tulsa, OK
$77,478
$37.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBixby, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$63,337$77,478
Hourly Rate$30.45$37.25
Entry Level (P10)$48,111$60,966
25th Percentile$55,597$64,174
75th Percentile$70,146$80,603
Top Earner (P90)$78,556$83,564
Total Employed6260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bixby ($63,337) and Tulsa ($77,478) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BixbyTulsaMedian Salary$63,337$77,478Entry Level (P10)$48,111$60,966Top Earner (P90)$78,556$83,564US Median $74,332

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bixby.

The salary gap between Bixby and Tulsa is $14,141 (22.33%). Tulsa's median is +4.23% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bixby spans $30,445,Tulsa spans $22,598. Bixby has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bixby
P10 (Entry)$48,111
P25$55,597
Median$63,337
P75$70,146
P90 (Top)$78,556
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$60,966
P25$64,174
Median$77,478
P75$80,603
P90 (Top)$83,564

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($86,845 effective) pays 21.90% more than Bixby ($71,245 effective).

Bixby
Nominal: $63,337
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $71,245
Tulsa
Nominal: $77,478
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $86,845

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bixby if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,478/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,564)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,845)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Bixby grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.4% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Bixby, OK

+9.5%

$56,238 (2024) → $61,606 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+9.4%

$68,900 (2019) → $75,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Bixby or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,478/year, compared to Bixby at $63,337/year — a difference of $14,141 (22.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bixby and Tulsa?

Bixby occupational therapy assistants earn $30.45/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $37.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bixby to Tulsa as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bixby and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bixby = $71,245, Tulsa = $86,845), job availability (6 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Bixby vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $48,111 in Bixby and $60,966 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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