OT Assistant Salary

Cedar Park vs Dallas: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cedar Park, TX
$77,983
$37.49/hr
Dallas, TX
$83,451
$40.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar Park, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$77,983$83,451
Hourly Rate$37.49$40.12
Entry Level (P10)$53,343$55,774
25th Percentile$64,393$79,863
75th Percentile$87,567$93,979
Top Earner (P90)$99,610$97,875
Total Employed121,220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar Park ($77,983) and Dallas ($83,451) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Cedar ParkDallasMedian Salary$77,983$83,451Entry Level (P10)$53,343$55,774Top Earner (P90)$99,610$97,875US Median $74,332

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cedar Park.

The salary gap between Cedar Park and Dallas is $5,468 (7.01%). 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 Cedar Park spans $46,267,Dallas spans $42,101. Cedar Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cedar Park
P10 (Entry)$53,343
P25$64,393
Median$77,983
P75$87,567
P90 (Top)$99,610
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, Cedar Park ($81,232 effective) pays 0.35% more than Dallas ($80,950 effective).

Cedar Park
Nominal: $77,983
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $81,232
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 Cedar Park if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,610)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,232)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,451/year)
  • Larger job market (1,220 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Cedar Park, TX

+4.4%

$72,646 (2024) → $75,852 (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: Cedar Park or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,451/year, compared to Cedar Park at $77,983/year — a difference of $5,468 (7.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar Park and Dallas?

Cedar Park occupational therapy assistants earn $37.49/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $40.12/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar Park and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar Park = $81,232, Dallas = $80,950), job availability (12 vs 1,220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,343 in Cedar Park and $55,774 in Dallas. The Dallas 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