OT Assistant Salary

Boise vs Rexburg: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Boise, ID
$73,427
$35.30/hr
Rexburg, ID
$70,173
$33.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise, IDRexburg, ID
Median Salary$73,427$70,173
Hourly Rate$35.30$33.73
Entry Level (P10)$47,900$51,349
25th Percentile$59,219$60,153
75th Percentile$81,653$74,805
Top Earner (P90)$93,635$82,254
Total Employed608
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise ($73,427) and Rexburg ($70,173) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BoiseRexburgMedian Salary$73,427$70,173Entry Level (P10)$47,900$51,349Top Earner (P90)$93,635$82,254US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boise and Rexburg is $3,254 (4.64%). 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,Rexburg spans $30,905. 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
Rexburg
P10 (Entry)$51,349
P25$60,153
Median$70,173
P75$74,805
P90 (Top)$82,254

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise ($77,048 effective) pays 4.64% more than Rexburg ($73,634 effective).

Boise
Nominal: $73,427
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $77,048
Rexburg
Nominal: $70,173
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $73,634

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 Rexburg 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 Rexburg over the same period.

Boise, ID

+13.0%

$63,221 (2024) → $71,420 (2025)

Rexburg, ID

+13.0%

$60,419 (2024) → $68,255 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Boise or Rexburg?

Boise has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,427/year, compared to Rexburg at $70,173/year — a difference of $3,254 (4.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise and Rexburg?

Boise occupational therapy assistants earn $35.30/hr while Rexburg hygienists earn $33.73/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise and Rexburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise = $77,048, Rexburg = $73,634), job availability (60 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $47,900 in Boise and $51,349 in Rexburg. The Rexburg 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