OT Assistant Salary

Casper vs Gillette: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Casper, WY
$60,543
$29.11/hr
Gillette, WY
$58,732
$28.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasper, WYGillette, WY
Median Salary$60,543$58,732
Hourly Rate$29.11$28.23
Entry Level (P10)$44,198$43,505
25th Percentile$52,218$50,736
75th Percentile$67,865$64,163
Top Earner (P90)$77,365$69,610
Total Employed99
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casper ($60,543) and Gillette ($58,732) occupational therapy assistant salaries.CasperGilletteMedian Salary$60,543$58,732Entry Level (P10)$44,198$43,505Top Earner (P90)$77,365$69,610US Median $74,332

Verdict

Casper, WY offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gillette.

The salary gap between Casper and Gillette is $1,811 (3.08%). 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,Gillette spans $26,105. 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
Gillette
P10 (Entry)$43,505
P25$50,736
Median$58,732
P75$64,163
P90 (Top)$69,610

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Casper ($63,197 effective) pays 3.08% more than Gillette ($61,307 effective).

Casper
Nominal: $60,543
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $63,197
Gillette
Nominal: $58,732
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $61,307

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,197)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Gillette 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 Gillette over the same period.

Casper, WY

+5.7%

$55,730 (2019) → $58,888 (2025)

Gillette, WY

+-1.7%

$58,086 (2024) → $57,127 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Casper has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $60,543/year, compared to Gillette at $58,732/year — a difference of $1,811 (3.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casper and Gillette?

Casper occupational therapy assistants earn $29.11/hr while Gillette hygienists earn $28.23/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casper and Gillette. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casper = $63,197, Gillette = $61,307), job availability (9 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $44,198 in Casper and $43,505 in Gillette. The Casper 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