OT Assistant Salary

Haltom City vs Houston: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Haltom City, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Haltom City, TX
$74,333
$35.74/hr
Houston, TX
$83,626
$40.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHaltom City, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$74,333$83,626
Hourly Rate$35.74$40.21
Entry Level (P10)$55,198$63,629
25th Percentile$64,371$77,190
75th Percentile$79,787$91,007
Top Earner (P90)$88,122$96,713
Total Employed11900
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Haltom City ($74,333) and Houston ($83,626) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Haltom CityHoustonMedian Salary$74,333$83,626Entry Level (P10)$55,198$63,629Top Earner (P90)$88,122$96,713US Median $74,332

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Haltom City.

The salary gap between Haltom City and Houston is $9,293 (12.50%). Houston's median is +12.50% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Haltom City spans $32,924,Houston spans $33,084. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Haltom City
P10 (Entry)$55,198
P25$64,371
Median$74,333
P75$79,787
P90 (Top)$88,122
Houston
P10 (Entry)$63,629
P25$77,190
Median$83,626
P75$91,007
P90 (Top)$96,713

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($84,788 effective) pays 9.50% more than Haltom City ($77,430 effective).

Haltom City
Nominal: $74,333
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $77,430
Houston
Nominal: $83,626
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $84,788

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Haltom City if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,626/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,713)
  • Larger job market (900 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,788)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Haltom City grew 4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Haltom City, TX

+4.4%

$69,245 (2024) → $72,301 (2025)

Houston, TX

+11.4%

$73,010 (2019) → $81,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Haltom City or Houston?

Houston has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,626/year, compared to Haltom City at $74,333/year — a difference of $9,293 (12.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Haltom City and Houston?

Haltom City occupational therapy assistants earn $35.74/hr while Houston hygienists earn $40.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Haltom City to Houston as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Haltom City and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Haltom City = $77,430, Houston = $84,788), job availability (11 vs 900 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Haltom City vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $55,198 in Haltom City and $63,629 in Houston. The Houston 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