OT Assistant Salary

Centreville vs Chesapeake: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Centreville, VA and Chesapeake, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centreville, VA
$78,463
$37.72/hr
Chesapeake, VA
$67,839
$32.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentreville, VAChesapeake, VA
Median Salary$78,463$67,839
Hourly Rate$37.72$32.61
Entry Level (P10)$53,564$44,065
25th Percentile$67,637$58,487
75th Percentile$87,915$77,962
Top Earner (P90)$100,201$90,727
Total Employed1463
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centreville ($78,463) and Chesapeake ($67,839) occupational therapy assistant salaries.CentrevilleChesapeakeMedian Salary$78,463$67,839Entry Level (P10)$53,564$44,065Top Earner (P90)$100,201$90,727US Median $74,332

Verdict

Centreville, VA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chesapeake.

The salary gap between Centreville and Chesapeake is $10,624 (15.66%). Centreville's median is +5.56% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centreville spans $46,637,Chesapeake spans $46,662. Chesapeake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Centreville
P10 (Entry)$53,564
P25$67,637
Median$78,463
P75$87,915
P90 (Top)$100,201
Chesapeake
P10 (Entry)$44,065
P25$58,487
Median$67,839
P75$77,962
P90 (Top)$90,727

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Centreville ($76,030 effective) pays 15.66% more than Chesapeake ($65,735 effective).

Centreville
Nominal: $78,463
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $76,030
Chesapeake
Nominal: $67,839
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $65,735

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centreville if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,463/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,201)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,030)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Chesapeake if…

  • Larger job market (63 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Centreville grew 9.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -9.1% growth in Chesapeake over the same period.

Centreville, VA

+9.4%

$69,772 (2024) → $76,318 (2025)

Chesapeake, VA

+-9.1%

$72,562 (2024) → $65,985 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Centreville or Chesapeake?

Centreville has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $78,463/year, compared to Chesapeake at $67,839/year — a difference of $10,624 (15.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centreville and Chesapeake?

Centreville occupational therapy assistants earn $37.72/hr while Chesapeake hygienists earn $32.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centreville to Chesapeake as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centreville and Chesapeake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centreville = $76,030, Chesapeake = $65,735), job availability (14 vs 63 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Centreville vs Chesapeake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,564 in Centreville and $44,065 in Chesapeake. The Centreville 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