OT Assistant Salary

Colorado Springs vs Pueblo: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Pueblo, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$76,799
$36.93/hr
Pueblo, CO
$70,291
$33.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COPueblo, CO
Median Salary$76,799$70,291
Hourly Rate$36.93$33.79
Entry Level (P10)$63,516$61,542
25th Percentile$64,410$64,061
75th Percentile$86,402$84,366
Top Earner (P90)$107,837$105,051
Total Employed14050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($76,799) and Pueblo ($70,291) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Colorado SpringsPuebloMedian Salary$76,799$70,291Entry Level (P10)$63,516$61,542Top Earner (P90)$107,837$105,051US Median $74,332

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pueblo.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Pueblo is $6,508 (9.26%). Colorado Springs's median is +3.32% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $44,321,Pueblo spans $43,509. Colorado Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$63,516
P25$64,410
Median$76,799
P75$86,402
P90 (Top)$107,837
Pueblo
P10 (Entry)$61,542
P25$64,061
Median$70,291
P75$84,366
P90 (Top)$105,051

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pueblo ($76,601 effective) pays 0.45% more than Colorado Springs ($76,260 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $76,799
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $76,260
Pueblo
Nominal: $70,291
CoL Index: 91.762
Adjusted: $76,601

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,799/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,837)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Pueblo if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,601)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Colorado Springs grew 35.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 29.1% growth in Pueblo over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+35.3%

$55,230 (2019) → $74,700 (2025)

Pueblo, CO

+29.1%

$52,950 (2019) → $68,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Colorado Springs or Pueblo?

Colorado Springs has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $76,799/year, compared to Pueblo at $70,291/year — a difference of $6,508 (9.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Pueblo?

Colorado Springs occupational therapy assistants earn $36.93/hr while Pueblo hygienists earn $33.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Pueblo as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $76,260, Pueblo = $76,601), job availability (140 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Colorado Springs vs Pueblo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $63,516 in Colorado Springs and $61,542 in Pueblo. The Colorado Springs 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