OT Assistant Salary

Highland vs Provo: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Highland, UT and Provo, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Highland, UT
$68,624
$32.99/hr
Provo, UT
$63,002
$30.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHighland, UTProvo, UT
Median Salary$68,624$63,002
Hourly Rate$32.99$30.29
Entry Level (P10)$49,473$51,323
25th Percentile$62,298$54,057
75th Percentile$71,763$73,725
Top Earner (P90)$77,878$83,019
Total Employed440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Highland ($68,624) and Provo ($63,002) occupational therapy assistant salaries.HighlandProvoMedian Salary$68,624$63,002Entry Level (P10)$49,473$51,323Top Earner (P90)$77,878$83,019US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Highland and Provo is $5,622 (8.92%). Highland's median is -7.68% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Highland spans $28,405,Provo spans $31,696. Provo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Highland
P10 (Entry)$49,473
P25$62,298
Median$68,624
P75$71,763
P90 (Top)$77,878
Provo
P10 (Entry)$51,323
P25$54,057
Median$63,002
P75$73,725
P90 (Top)$83,019

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Highland ($69,953 effective) pays 9.07% more than Provo ($64,136 effective).

Highland
Nominal: $68,624
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $69,953
Provo
Nominal: $63,002
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $64,136

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Highland if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,624/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,953)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Provo if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,019)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Highland grew 20.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Provo over the same period.

Highland, UT

+20.5%

$55,393 (2024) → $66,748 (2025)

Provo, UT

+13.7%

$53,900 (2019) → $61,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Highland or Provo?

Highland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $68,624/year, compared to Provo at $63,002/year — a difference of $5,622 (8.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Highland and Provo?

Highland occupational therapy assistants earn $32.99/hr while Provo hygienists earn $30.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Highland to Provo as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Highland and Provo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Highland = $69,953, Provo = $64,136), job availability (4 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Highland vs Provo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $49,473 in Highland and $51,323 in Provo. The Provo 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