OT Assistant Salary

Davenport vs North Liberty: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Davenport, IA
$63,238
$30.40/hr
North Liberty, IA
$63,369
$30.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IANorth Liberty, IA
Median Salary$63,238$63,369
Hourly Rate$30.40$30.46
Entry Level (P10)$43,910$45,909
25th Percentile$48,794$57,691
75th Percentile$84,417$68,763
Top Earner (P90)$96,230$75,946
Total Employed606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($63,238) and North Liberty ($63,369) occupational therapy assistant salaries.DavenportNorth LibertyMedian Salary$63,238$63,369Entry Level (P10)$43,910$45,909Top Earner (P90)$96,230$75,946US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Davenport and North Liberty is $131 (0.21%). North Liberty's median is -14.75% 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,North Liberty spans $30,037. 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
North Liberty
P10 (Entry)$45,909
P25$57,691
Median$63,369
P75$68,763
P90 (Top)$75,946

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($70,991 effective) pays 1.27% more than North Liberty ($70,098 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $63,238
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $70,991
North Liberty
Nominal: $63,369
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $70,098

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,991)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose North Liberty if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,369/year)
  • 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 North Liberty over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+6.0%

$58,040 (2021) → $61,510 (2025)

North Liberty, IA

+16.6%

$52,856 (2024) → $61,637 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Davenport or North Liberty?

North Liberty has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $63,369/year, compared to Davenport at $63,238/year — a difference of $131 (0.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and North Liberty?

Davenport occupational therapy assistants earn $30.40/hr while North Liberty hygienists earn $30.46/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and North Liberty. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $70,991, North Liberty = $70,098), job availability (60 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $43,910 in Davenport and $45,909 in North Liberty. The North Liberty 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