OT Assistant Salary

Huntsville vs Phenix City: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Huntsville, AL and Phenix City, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$62,755
$30.16/hr
Phenix City, AL
$64,293
$30.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALPhenix City, AL
Median Salary$62,755$64,293
Hourly Rate$30.16$30.91
Entry Level (P10)$52,145$49,423
25th Percentile$58,982$57,069
75th Percentile$70,795$67,922
Top Earner (P90)$85,168$74,673
Total Employed607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($62,755) and Phenix City ($64,293) occupational therapy assistant salaries.HuntsvillePhenix CityMedian Salary$62,755$64,293Entry Level (P10)$52,145$49,423Top Earner (P90)$85,168$74,673US Median $74,332

Verdict

Huntsville and Phenix City are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Phenix City is $1,538 (2.45%). Phenix City's median is -13.51% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $33,023,Phenix City spans $25,250. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$52,145
P25$58,982
Median$62,755
P75$70,795
P90 (Top)$85,168
Phenix City
P10 (Entry)$49,423
P25$57,069
Median$64,293
P75$67,922
P90 (Top)$74,673

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phenix City ($73,143 effective) pays 8.48% more than Huntsville ($67,426 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $62,755
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $67,426
Phenix City
Nominal: $64,293
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $73,143

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,168)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Phenix City if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,293/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,143)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Huntsville grew -8.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.7% growth in Phenix City over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+-8.1%

$66,450 (2019) → $61,040 (2025)

Phenix City, AL

+24.7%

$50,167 (2024) → $62,536 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Huntsville or Phenix City?

Phenix City has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $64,293/year, compared to Huntsville at $62,755/year — a difference of $1,538 (2.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Phenix City?

Huntsville occupational therapy assistants earn $30.16/hr while Phenix City hygienists earn $30.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Phenix City as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Phenix City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $67,426, Phenix City = $73,143), job availability (60 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Huntsville vs Phenix City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $52,145 in Huntsville and $49,423 in Phenix City. The Huntsville 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