OT Assistant Salary

Houston vs Victoria: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$83,626
$40.21/hr
Victoria, TX
$75,792
$36.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXVictoria, TX
Median Salary$83,626$75,792
Hourly Rate$40.21$36.44
Entry Level (P10)$63,629$68,605
25th Percentile$77,190$75,792
75th Percentile$91,007$77,334
Top Earner (P90)$96,713$95,418
Total Employed90060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($83,626) and Victoria ($75,792) occupational therapy assistant salaries.HoustonVictoriaMedian Salary$83,626$75,792Entry Level (P10)$63,629$68,605Top Earner (P90)$96,713$95,418US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Victoria is $7,834 (10.34%). 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 Houston spans $33,084,Victoria spans $26,813. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$63,629
P25$77,190
Median$83,626
P75$91,007
P90 (Top)$96,713
Victoria
P10 (Entry)$68,605
P25$75,792
Median$75,792
P75$77,334
P90 (Top)$95,418

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($84,788 effective) pays 0.50% more than Victoria ($84,364 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $83,626
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $84,788
Victoria
Nominal: $75,792
CoL Index: 89.839
Adjusted: $84,364

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Victoria if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Houston grew 11.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.4% growth in Victoria over the same period.

Houston, TX

+11.4%

$73,010 (2019) → $81,340 (2025)

Victoria, TX

+2.4%

$72,020 (2022) → $73,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Houston or Victoria?

Houston has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,626/year, compared to Victoria at $75,792/year — a difference of $7,834 (10.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Victoria?

Houston occupational therapy assistants earn $40.21/hr while Victoria hygienists earn $36.44/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Victoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $84,788, Victoria = $84,364), job availability (900 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $63,629 in Houston and $68,605 in Victoria. The Victoria 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