OT Assistant Salary

Davenport vs Marion: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Davenport, IA and Marion, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$63,238
$30.40/hr
Marion, IA
$66,074
$31.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarion, IA
Median Salary$63,238$66,074
Hourly Rate$30.40$31.77
Entry Level (P10)$43,910$47,460
25th Percentile$48,794$56,035
75th Percentile$84,417$71,197
Top Earner (P90)$96,230$78,782
Total Employed606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($63,238) and Marion ($66,074) occupational therapy assistant salaries.DavenportMarionMedian Salary$63,238$66,074Entry Level (P10)$43,910$47,460Top Earner (P90)$96,230$78,782US Median $74,332

Verdict

Davenport and Marion are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Davenport and Marion is $2,836 (4.48%). Marion's median is -11.11% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $52,320,Marion spans $31,322. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$43,910
P25$48,794
Median$63,238
P75$84,417
P90 (Top)$96,230
Marion
P10 (Entry)$47,460
P25$56,035
Median$66,074
P75$71,197
P90 (Top)$78,782

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Marion ($73,091 effective) pays 2.96% more than Davenport ($70,991 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $63,238
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $70,991
Marion
Nominal: $66,074
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $73,091

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($96,230)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Marion if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,074/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,091)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Davenport grew 6.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 16.6% growth in Marion over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+6.0%

$58,040 (2021) → $61,510 (2025)

Marion, IA

+16.6%

$55,112 (2024) → $64,268 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Davenport or Marion?

Marion has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $66,074/year, compared to Davenport at $63,238/year — a difference of $2,836 (4.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marion?

Davenport occupational therapy assistants earn $30.40/hr while Marion hygienists earn $31.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Marion as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marion. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $70,991, Marion = $73,091), job availability (60 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Davenport vs Marion?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $43,910 in Davenport and $47,460 in Marion. The Marion 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