OT Assistant Salary

Fort Wayne vs Jeffersonville: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Jeffersonville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$75,185
$36.15/hr
Jeffersonville, IN
$67,117
$32.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INJeffersonville, IN
Median Salary$75,185$67,117
Hourly Rate$36.15$32.27
Entry Level (P10)$54,356$51,549
25th Percentile$64,739$59,334
75th Percentile$78,660$70,672
Top Earner (P90)$92,395$81,703
Total Employed10011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($75,185) and Jeffersonville ($67,117) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Fort WayneJeffersonvilleMedian Salary$75,185$67,117Entry Level (P10)$54,356$51,549Top Earner (P90)$92,395$81,703US Median $74,332

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersonville.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville is $8,068 (12.02%). Fort Wayne's median is +1.15% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $38,039,Jeffersonville spans $30,154. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$54,356
P25$64,739
Median$75,185
P75$78,660
P90 (Top)$92,395
Jeffersonville
P10 (Entry)$51,549
P25$59,334
Median$67,117
P75$70,672
P90 (Top)$81,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($81,218 effective) pays 10.48% more than Jeffersonville ($73,513 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $75,185
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $81,218
Jeffersonville
Nominal: $67,117
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $73,513

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,185/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,395)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,218)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Jeffersonville if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Fort Wayne grew 24.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Jeffersonville over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+24.8%

$58,590 (2019) → $73,130 (2025)

Jeffersonville, IN

+12.5%

$58,055 (2024) → $65,283 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Fort Wayne or Jeffersonville?

Fort Wayne has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $75,185/year, compared to Jeffersonville at $67,117/year — a difference of $8,068 (12.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville?

Fort Wayne occupational therapy assistants earn $36.15/hr while Jeffersonville hygienists earn $32.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Jeffersonville as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $81,218, Jeffersonville = $73,513), job availability (100 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Fort Wayne vs Jeffersonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,356 in Fort Wayne and $51,549 in Jeffersonville. The Fort Wayne 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