OT Assistant Salary

Indianapolis vs Munster: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Indianapolis, IN
$69,181
$33.26/hr
Munster, IN
$64,099
$30.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INMunster, IN
Median Salary$69,181$64,099
Hourly Rate$33.26$30.81
Entry Level (P10)$39,510$49,231
25th Percentile$60,853$56,420
75th Percentile$80,182$69,191
Top Earner (P90)$89,815$75,924
Total Employed7004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($69,181) and Munster ($64,099) occupational therapy assistant salaries.IndianapolisMunsterMedian Salary$69,181$64,099Entry Level (P10)$39,510$49,231Top Earner (P90)$89,815$75,924US Median $74,332

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Munster.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Munster is $5,082 (7.93%). Indianapolis's median is -6.93% 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,Munster spans $26,693. 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
Munster
P10 (Entry)$49,231
P25$56,420
Median$64,099
P75$69,191
P90 (Top)$75,924

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($72,292 effective) pays 2.97% more than Munster ($70,207 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $69,181
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $72,292
Munster
Nominal: $64,099
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $70,207

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,181/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,815)
  • Larger job market (700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,292)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Munster if…

  • 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 12.5% growth in Munster over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+28.0%

$52,570 (2019) → $67,290 (2025)

Munster, IN

+12.5%

$55,444 (2024) → $62,347 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Indianapolis has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,181/year, compared to Munster at $64,099/year — a difference of $5,082 (7.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Munster?

Indianapolis occupational therapy assistants earn $33.26/hr while Munster hygienists earn $30.81/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Munster. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $72,292, Munster = $70,207), job availability (700 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $39,510 in Indianapolis and $49,231 in Munster. The Munster 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