OT Assistant Salary

Indianapolis vs Fishers: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Indianapolis, IN
$69,181
$33.26/hr
Fishers, IN
$69,500
$33.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INFishers, IN
Median Salary$69,181$69,500
Hourly Rate$33.26$33.41
Entry Level (P10)$39,510$47,827
25th Percentile$60,853$57,548
75th Percentile$80,182$74,095
Top Earner (P90)$89,815$89,055
Total Employed70021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($69,181) and Fishers ($69,500) occupational therapy assistant salaries.IndianapolisFishersMedian Salary$69,181$69,500Entry Level (P10)$39,510$47,827Top Earner (P90)$89,815$89,055US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Fishers is $319 (0.46%). Fishers's median is -6.50% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $50,305,Fishers spans $41,228. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$39,510
P25$60,853
Median$69,181
P75$80,182
P90 (Top)$89,815
Fishers
P10 (Entry)$47,827
P25$57,548
Median$69,500
P75$74,095
P90 (Top)$89,055

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fishers ($76,123 effective) pays 5.30% more than Indianapolis ($72,292 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $69,181
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $72,292
Fishers
Nominal: $69,500
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $76,123

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,815)
  • Larger job market (700 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fishers if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,500/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,123)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Indianapolis grew 28.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.4% growth in Fishers over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+28.0%

$52,570 (2019) → $67,290 (2025)

Fishers, IN

+12.4%

$60,116 (2024) → $67,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Indianapolis or Fishers?

Fishers has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,500/year, compared to Indianapolis at $69,181/year — a difference of $319 (0.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Fishers?

Indianapolis occupational therapy assistants earn $33.26/hr while Fishers hygienists earn $33.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Fishers as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Fishers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $72,292, Fishers = $76,123), job availability (700 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Indianapolis vs Fishers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $39,510 in Indianapolis and $47,827 in Fishers. The Fishers 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