OT Assistant Salary

Casper vs Evanston: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Casper, WY and Evanston, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casper, WY
$60,543
$29.11/hr
Evanston, WY
$58,109
$27.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasper, WYEvanston, WY
Median Salary$60,543$58,109
Hourly Rate$29.11$27.93
Entry Level (P10)$44,198$46,442
25th Percentile$52,218$52,465
75th Percentile$67,865$60,584
Top Earner (P90)$77,365$65,369
Total Employed96
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casper ($60,543) and Evanston ($58,109) occupational therapy assistant salaries.CasperEvanstonMedian Salary$60,543$58,109Entry Level (P10)$44,198$46,442Top Earner (P90)$77,365$65,369US Median $74,332

Verdict

Casper, WY offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Evanston.

The salary gap between Casper and Evanston is $2,434 (4.19%). Casper's median is -18.55% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casper spans $33,167,Evanston spans $18,927. Casper has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Casper
P10 (Entry)$44,198
P25$52,218
Median$60,543
P75$67,865
P90 (Top)$77,365
Evanston
P10 (Entry)$46,442
P25$52,465
Median$58,109
P75$60,584
P90 (Top)$65,369

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Casper ($63,197 effective) pays 4.19% more than Evanston ($60,657 effective).

Casper
Nominal: $60,543
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $63,197
Evanston
Nominal: $58,109
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $60,657

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casper if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,543/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,365)
  • Larger job market (9 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,197)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Evanston if…

  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Casper grew 5.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.7% growth in Evanston over the same period.

Casper, WY

+5.7%

$55,730 (2019) → $58,888 (2025)

Evanston, WY

+-1.7%

$57,470 (2024) → $56,521 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Casper or Evanston?

Casper has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $60,543/year, compared to Evanston at $58,109/year — a difference of $2,434 (4.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casper and Evanston?

Casper occupational therapy assistants earn $29.11/hr while Evanston hygienists earn $27.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Casper to Evanston as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casper and Evanston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casper = $63,197, Evanston = $60,657), job availability (9 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Casper vs Evanston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $44,198 in Casper and $46,442 in Evanston. The Evanston 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