OT Assistant Salary

Coeur d'Alene vs Idaho Falls: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Idaho Falls, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coeur d'Alene, ID
$71,501
$34.38/hr
Idaho Falls, ID
$71,675
$34.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoeur d'Alene, IDIdaho Falls, ID
Median Salary$71,501$71,675
Hourly Rate$34.38$34.46
Entry Level (P10)$50,487$50,967
25th Percentile$60,222$60,582
75th Percentile$78,756$79,105
Top Earner (P90)$88,771$89,526
Total Employed129
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coeur d'Alene ($71,501) and Idaho Falls ($71,675) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Coeur d'AleneIdaho FallsMedian Salary$71,501$71,675Entry Level (P10)$50,487$50,967Top Earner (P90)$88,771$89,526US Median $74,332

Verdict

Idaho Falls, ID offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Coeur d'Alene.

The salary gap between Coeur d'Alene and Idaho Falls is $174 (0.24%). Idaho Falls's median is -3.57% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene spans $38,284,Idaho Falls spans $38,559. Idaho Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Coeur d'Alene
P10 (Entry)$50,487
P25$60,222
Median$71,501
P75$78,756
P90 (Top)$88,771
Idaho Falls
P10 (Entry)$50,967
P25$60,582
Median$71,675
P75$79,105
P90 (Top)$89,526

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Idaho Falls ($75,210 effective) pays 0.24% more than Coeur d'Alene ($75,027 effective).

Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $71,501
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $75,027
Idaho Falls
Nominal: $71,675
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $75,210

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coeur d'Alene if…

  • Larger job market (12 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Idaho Falls if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,675/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,526)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,210)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Coeur d'Alene grew 13.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Idaho Falls over the same period.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+13.0%

$61,563 (2024) → $69,547 (2025)

Idaho Falls, ID

+13.0%

$61,713 (2024) → $69,716 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Coeur d'Alene or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $71,675/year, compared to Coeur d'Alene at $71,501/year — a difference of $174 (0.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coeur d'Alene and Idaho Falls?

Coeur d'Alene occupational therapy assistants earn $34.38/hr while Idaho Falls hygienists earn $34.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coeur d'Alene to Idaho Falls as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coeur d'Alene and Idaho Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coeur d'Alene = $75,027, Idaho Falls = $75,210), job availability (12 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Coeur d'Alene vs Idaho Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $50,487 in Coeur d'Alene and $50,967 in Idaho Falls. The Idaho Falls 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