OT Assistant Salary

Boise City vs Coeur d'Alene: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Boise City, ID and Coeur d'Alene, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$68,420
$32.89/hr
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$71,501
$34.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDCoeur d'Alene, ID
Median Salary$68,420$71,501
Hourly Rate$32.89$34.38
Entry Level (P10)$64,667$50,487
25th Percentile$65,346$60,222
75th Percentile$76,501$78,756
Top Earner (P90)$78,002$88,771
Total Employed11012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($68,420) and Coeur d'Alene ($71,501) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Boise CityCoeur d'AleneMedian Salary$68,420$71,501Entry Level (P10)$64,667$50,487Top Earner (P90)$78,002$88,771US Median $74,332

Verdict

Coeur d'Alene, ID offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Boise City.

The salary gap between Boise City and Coeur d'Alene is $3,081 (4.50%). Coeur d'Alene's median is -3.81% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $13,335,Coeur d'Alene spans $38,284. Coeur d'Alene has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$64,667
P25$65,346
Median$68,420
P75$76,501
P90 (Top)$78,002
Coeur d'Alene
P10 (Entry)$50,487
P25$60,222
Median$71,501
P75$78,756
P90 (Top)$88,771

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Coeur d'Alene ($75,027 effective) pays 7.89% more than Boise City ($69,539 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $68,420
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $69,539
Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $71,501
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $75,027

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Coeur d'Alene if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,501/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,771)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,027)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Boise City grew 19.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Coeur d'Alene over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+19.0%

$55,930 (2019) → $66,550 (2025)

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+13.0%

$61,563 (2024) → $69,547 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Boise City or Coeur d'Alene?

Coeur d'Alene has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $71,501/year, compared to Boise City at $68,420/year — a difference of $3,081 (4.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Coeur d'Alene?

Boise City occupational therapy assistants earn $32.89/hr while Coeur d'Alene hygienists earn $34.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Coeur d'Alene as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Coeur d'Alene. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $69,539, Coeur d'Alene = $75,027), job availability (110 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Boise City vs Coeur d'Alene?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $64,667 in Boise City and $50,487 in Coeur d'Alene. The Boise City 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