OT Assistant Salary

Dallas vs The Colony: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$83,451
$40.12/hr
The Colony, TX
$76,606
$36.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXThe Colony, TX
Median Salary$83,451$76,606
Hourly Rate$40.12$36.83
Entry Level (P10)$55,774$54,430
25th Percentile$79,863$64,466
75th Percentile$93,979$82,146
Top Earner (P90)$97,875$90,591
Total Employed1,2209
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($83,451) and The Colony ($76,606) occupational therapy assistant salaries.DallasThe ColonyMedian Salary$83,451$76,606Entry Level (P10)$55,774$54,430Top Earner (P90)$97,875$90,591US Median $74,332

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to The Colony.

The salary gap between Dallas and The Colony is $6,845 (8.94%). 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 Dallas spans $42,101,The Colony spans $36,161. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$55,774
P25$79,863
Median$83,451
P75$93,979
P90 (Top)$97,875
The Colony
P10 (Entry)$54,430
P25$64,466
Median$76,606
P75$82,146
P90 (Top)$90,591

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($80,950 effective) pays 1.44% more than The Colony ($79,798 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $83,451
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $80,950
The Colony
Nominal: $76,606
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $79,798

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,451/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,875)
  • Larger job market (1,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,950)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Colony if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Dallas grew 21.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.4% growth in The Colony over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+21.3%

$66,890 (2019) → $81,170 (2025)

The Colony, TX

+4.4%

$71,363 (2024) → $74,512 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Dallas or The Colony?

Dallas has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,451/year, compared to The Colony at $76,606/year — a difference of $6,845 (8.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and The Colony?

Dallas occupational therapy assistants earn $40.12/hr while The Colony hygienists earn $36.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to The Colony as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and The Colony. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $80,950, The Colony = $79,798), job availability (1,220 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Dallas vs The Colony?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $55,774 in Dallas and $54,430 in The Colony. 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