OT Assistant Salary

Casa Grande vs Phoenix: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Casa Grande, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casa Grande, AZ
$71,316
$34.29/hr
Phoenix, AZ
$78,218
$37.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasa Grande, AZPhoenix, AZ
Median Salary$71,316$78,218
Hourly Rate$34.29$37.61
Entry Level (P10)$49,981$65,068
25th Percentile$59,731$65,572
75th Percentile$78,271$81,785
Top Earner (P90)$87,982$95,850
Total Employed12800
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casa Grande ($71,316) and Phoenix ($78,218) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Casa GrandePhoenixMedian Salary$71,316$78,218Entry Level (P10)$49,981$65,068Top Earner (P90)$87,982$95,850US Median $74,332

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Casa Grande.

The salary gap between Casa Grande and Phoenix is $6,902 (9.68%). Phoenix's median is +5.23% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casa Grande spans $38,001,Phoenix spans $30,782. Casa Grande has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Casa Grande
P10 (Entry)$49,981
P25$59,731
Median$71,316
P75$78,271
P90 (Top)$87,982
Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$65,068
P25$65,572
Median$78,218
P75$81,785
P90 (Top)$95,850

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($75,708 effective) pays 4.57% more than Casa Grande ($72,402 effective).

Casa Grande
Nominal: $71,316
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $72,402
Phoenix
Nominal: $78,218
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $75,708

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casa Grande if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,218/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,850)
  • Larger job market (800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,708)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Casa Grande grew 3.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.2% growth in Phoenix over the same period.

Casa Grande, AZ

+3.3%

$67,160 (2024) → $69,367 (2025)

Phoenix, AZ

+13.2%

$67,210 (2019) → $76,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Casa Grande or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $78,218/year, compared to Casa Grande at $71,316/year — a difference of $6,902 (9.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casa Grande and Phoenix?

Casa Grande occupational therapy assistants earn $34.29/hr while Phoenix hygienists earn $37.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Casa Grande to Phoenix as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casa Grande and Phoenix. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casa Grande = $72,402, Phoenix = $75,708), job availability (12 vs 800 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Casa Grande vs Phoenix?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $49,981 in Casa Grande and $65,068 in Phoenix. The Phoenix 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