OT Assistant Salary

Del City vs Tulsa: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Del City, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Del City, OK
$62,133
$29.88/hr
Tulsa, OK
$77,478
$37.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDel City, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$62,133$77,478
Hourly Rate$29.88$37.25
Entry Level (P10)$44,701$60,966
25th Percentile$56,338$64,174
75th Percentile$64,912$80,603
Top Earner (P90)$70,409$83,564
Total Employed4260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Del City ($62,133) and Tulsa ($77,478) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Del CityTulsaMedian Salary$62,133$77,478Entry Level (P10)$44,701$60,966Top Earner (P90)$70,409$83,564US Median $74,332

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Del City.

The salary gap between Del City and Tulsa is $15,345 (24.70%). Tulsa's median is +4.23% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Del City spans $25,708,Tulsa spans $22,598. Del City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Del City
P10 (Entry)$44,701
P25$56,338
Median$62,133
P75$64,912
P90 (Top)$70,409
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$60,966
P25$64,174
Median$77,478
P75$80,603
P90 (Top)$83,564

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($86,845 effective) pays 24.26% more than Del City ($69,891 effective).

Del City
Nominal: $62,133
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $69,891
Tulsa
Nominal: $77,478
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $86,845

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Del City if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,478/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,564)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,845)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Del City grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.4% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Del City, OK

+9.5%

$55,169 (2024) → $60,435 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+9.4%

$68,900 (2019) → $75,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Del City or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,478/year, compared to Del City at $62,133/year — a difference of $15,345 (24.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Del City and Tulsa?

Del City occupational therapy assistants earn $29.88/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $37.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Del City to Tulsa as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Del City and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Del City = $69,891, Tulsa = $86,845), job availability (4 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Del City vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $44,701 in Del City and $60,966 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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