OT Assistant Salary

Denver vs Longmont: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Denver, CO
$79,143
$38.05/hr
Longmont, CO
$75,602
$36.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COLongmont, CO
Median Salary$79,143$75,602
Hourly Rate$38.05$36.34
Entry Level (P10)$65,336$56,459
25th Percentile$72,481$65,926
75th Percentile$92,714$83,810
Top Earner (P90)$103,005$95,048
Total Employed34015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($79,143) and Longmont ($75,602) occupational therapy assistant salaries.DenverLongmontMedian Salary$79,143$75,602Entry Level (P10)$65,336$56,459Top Earner (P90)$103,005$95,048US Median $74,332

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Longmont.

The salary gap between Denver and Longmont is $3,541 (4.68%). Denver's median is +6.47% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $37,669,Longmont spans $38,589. Longmont has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$65,336
P25$72,481
Median$79,143
P75$92,714
P90 (Top)$103,005
Longmont
P10 (Entry)$56,459
P25$65,926
Median$75,602
P75$83,810
P90 (Top)$95,048

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($74,817 effective) pays 3.91% more than Longmont ($72,002 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $79,143
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $74,817
Longmont
Nominal: $75,602
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $72,002

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,143/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,005)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,817)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Longmont if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Denver grew 28.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.6% growth in Longmont over the same period.

Denver, CO

+28.8%

$59,750 (2019) → $76,980 (2025)

Longmont, CO

+4.6%

$70,287 (2024) → $73,536 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Denver or Longmont?

Denver has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $79,143/year, compared to Longmont at $75,602/year — a difference of $3,541 (4.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Longmont?

Denver occupational therapy assistants earn $38.05/hr while Longmont hygienists earn $36.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Longmont as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Longmont. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $74,817, Longmont = $72,002), job availability (340 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Denver vs Longmont?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $65,336 in Denver and $56,459 in Longmont. The Denver 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