OT Assistant Salary

Edmond vs Ponca City: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Edmond, OK
$63,784
$30.67/hr
Ponca City, OK
$61,393
$29.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdmond, OKPonca City, OK
Median Salary$63,784$61,393
Hourly Rate$30.67$29.52
Entry Level (P10)$43,797$48,148
25th Percentile$52,743$54,762
75th Percentile$69,227$65,556
Top Earner (P90)$77,720$71,860
Total Employed254
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edmond ($63,784) and Ponca City ($61,393) occupational therapy assistant salaries.EdmondPonca CityMedian Salary$63,784$61,393Entry Level (P10)$43,797$48,148Top Earner (P90)$77,720$71,860US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Edmond and Ponca City is $2,391 (3.89%). Edmond's median is -14.19% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edmond spans $33,923,Ponca City spans $23,712. Edmond has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Edmond
P10 (Entry)$43,797
P25$52,743
Median$63,784
P75$69,227
P90 (Top)$77,720
Ponca City
P10 (Entry)$48,148
P25$54,762
Median$61,393
P75$65,556
P90 (Top)$71,860

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Edmond ($71,748 effective) pays 3.89% more than Ponca City ($69,058 effective).

Edmond
Nominal: $63,784
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $71,748
Ponca City
Nominal: $61,393
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $69,058

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,784/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,720)
  • Larger job market (25 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,748)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Ponca City if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Edmond, OK

+9.5%

$56,635 (2024) → $62,041 (2025)

Ponca City, OK

+9.5%

$54,512 (2024) → $59,715 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Edmond or Ponca City?

Edmond has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $63,784/year, compared to Ponca City at $61,393/year — a difference of $2,391 (3.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edmond and Ponca City?

Edmond occupational therapy assistants earn $30.67/hr while Ponca City hygienists earn $29.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edmond to Ponca City as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edmond and Ponca City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edmond = $71,748, Ponca City = $69,058), job availability (25 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Edmond vs Ponca City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $43,797 in Edmond and $48,148 in Ponca City. The Ponca City 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