OT Assistant Salary

Boise vs Mountain Home: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Boise, ID and Mountain Home, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise, ID
$73,427
$35.30/hr
Mountain Home, ID
$66,793
$32.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise, IDMountain Home, ID
Median Salary$73,427$66,793
Hourly Rate$35.30$32.11
Entry Level (P10)$47,900$48,080
25th Percentile$59,219$60,795
75th Percentile$81,653$72,466
Top Earner (P90)$93,635$80,029
Total Employed604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise ($73,427) and Mountain Home ($66,793) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BoiseMountain HomeMedian Salary$73,427$66,793Entry Level (P10)$47,900$48,080Top Earner (P90)$93,635$80,029US Median $74,332

Verdict

Boise, ID offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mountain Home.

The salary gap between Boise and Mountain Home is $6,634 (9.93%). Boise's median is -1.22% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise spans $45,735,Mountain Home spans $31,949. Boise has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boise
P10 (Entry)$47,900
P25$59,219
Median$73,427
P75$81,653
P90 (Top)$93,635
Mountain Home
P10 (Entry)$48,080
P25$60,795
Median$66,793
P75$72,466
P90 (Top)$80,029

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise ($77,048 effective) pays 9.93% more than Mountain Home ($70,087 effective).

Boise
Nominal: $73,427
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $77,048
Mountain Home
Nominal: $66,793
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $70,087

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,427/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,635)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,048)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Mountain Home if…

  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Boise grew 13.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Mountain Home over the same period.

Boise, ID

+13.0%

$63,221 (2024) → $71,420 (2025)

Mountain Home, ID

+13.0%

$57,509 (2024) → $64,967 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Boise or Mountain Home?

Boise has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,427/year, compared to Mountain Home at $66,793/year — a difference of $6,634 (9.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise and Mountain Home?

Boise occupational therapy assistants earn $35.30/hr while Mountain Home hygienists earn $32.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise to Mountain Home as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise and Mountain Home. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise = $77,048, Mountain Home = $70,087), job availability (60 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Boise vs Mountain Home?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $47,900 in Boise and $48,080 in Mountain Home. The Mountain Home 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