OT Assistant Salary

Eugene vs Gresham: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Eugene, OR and Gresham, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$76,728
$36.89/hr
Gresham, OR
$78,035
$37.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORGresham, OR
Median Salary$76,728$78,035
Hourly Rate$36.89$37.52
Entry Level (P10)$56,388$53,226
25th Percentile$66,409$64,476
75th Percentile$86,068$84,470
Top Earner (P90)$98,668$94,885
Total Employed3221
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($76,728) and Gresham ($78,035) occupational therapy assistant salaries.EugeneGreshamMedian Salary$76,728$78,035Entry Level (P10)$56,388$53,226Top Earner (P90)$98,668$94,885US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Eugene and Gresham is $1,307 (1.70%). Gresham's median is +4.98% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $42,280,Gresham spans $41,659. Eugene has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$56,388
P25$66,409
Median$76,728
P75$86,068
P90 (Top)$98,668
Gresham
P10 (Entry)$53,226
P25$64,476
Median$78,035
P75$84,470
P90 (Top)$94,885

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gresham ($76,058 effective) pays 1.70% more than Eugene ($74,784 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $76,728
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $74,784
Gresham
Nominal: $78,035
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $76,058

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($98,668)
  • Larger job market (32 employed)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Gresham if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,035/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,058)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Eugene grew 18.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 0.4% growth in Gresham over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+18.8%

$62,820 (2020) → $74,631 (2025)

Gresham, OR

+0.4%

$75,587 (2024) → $75,902 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Eugene or Gresham?

Gresham has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $78,035/year, compared to Eugene at $76,728/year — a difference of $1,307 (1.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and Gresham?

Eugene occupational therapy assistants earn $36.89/hr while Gresham hygienists earn $37.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to Gresham as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and Gresham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $74,784, Gresham = $76,058), job availability (32 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Eugene vs Gresham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $56,388 in Eugene and $53,226 in Gresham. The Eugene 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