OT Assistant Salary

Burleson vs Dallas: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Burleson, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burleson, TX
$77,566
$37.29/hr
Dallas, TX
$83,451
$40.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurleson, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$77,566$83,451
Hourly Rate$37.29$40.12
Entry Level (P10)$56,729$55,774
25th Percentile$66,469$79,863
75th Percentile$82,546$93,979
Top Earner (P90)$91,076$97,875
Total Employed111,220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burleson ($77,566) and Dallas ($83,451) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BurlesonDallasMedian Salary$77,566$83,451Entry Level (P10)$56,729$55,774Top Earner (P90)$91,076$97,875US Median $74,332

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burleson.

The salary gap between Burleson and Dallas is $5,885 (7.59%). Dallas's median is +12.27% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burleson spans $34,347,Dallas spans $42,101. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Burleson
P10 (Entry)$56,729
P25$66,469
Median$77,566
P75$82,546
P90 (Top)$91,076
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$55,774
P25$79,863
Median$83,451
P75$93,979
P90 (Top)$97,875

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($80,950 effective) pays 0.19% more than Burleson ($80,798 effective).

Burleson
Nominal: $77,566
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $80,798
Dallas
Nominal: $83,451
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $80,950

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burleson if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,451/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,875)
  • Larger job market (1,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,950)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Burleson grew 4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.3% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Burleson, TX

+4.4%

$72,257 (2024) → $75,446 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+21.3%

$66,890 (2019) → $81,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Burleson or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,451/year, compared to Burleson at $77,566/year — a difference of $5,885 (7.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burleson and Dallas?

Burleson occupational therapy assistants earn $37.29/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $40.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burleson to Dallas as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burleson and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burleson = $80,798, Dallas = $80,950), job availability (11 vs 1,220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Burleson vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $56,729 in Burleson and $55,774 in Dallas. The Burleson 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