OT Assistant Salary

Indianapolis vs Terre Haute: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Indianapolis, IN
$69,181
$33.26/hr
Terre Haute, IN
$70,355
$33.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INTerre Haute, IN
Median Salary$69,181$70,355
Hourly Rate$33.26$33.82
Entry Level (P10)$39,510$49,812
25th Percentile$60,853$59,304
75th Percentile$80,182$77,486
Top Earner (P90)$89,815$85,040
Total Employed70013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($69,181) and Terre Haute ($70,355) occupational therapy assistant salaries.IndianapolisTerre HauteMedian Salary$69,181$70,355Entry Level (P10)$39,510$49,812Top Earner (P90)$89,815$85,040US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Terre Haute is $1,174 (1.70%). Terre Haute's median is -5.35% 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,Terre Haute spans $35,228. 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
Terre Haute
P10 (Entry)$49,812
P25$59,304
Median$70,355
P75$77,486
P90 (Top)$85,040

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Terre Haute ($77,059 effective) pays 6.59% more than Indianapolis ($72,292 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $69,181
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $72,292
Terre Haute
Nominal: $70,355
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $77,059

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 Terre Haute if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,355/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,059)
  • 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 13.3% growth in Terre Haute over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+28.0%

$52,570 (2019) → $67,290 (2025)

Terre Haute, IN

+13.3%

$60,380 (2019) → $68,432 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Indianapolis or Terre Haute?

Terre Haute has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $70,355/year, compared to Indianapolis at $69,181/year — a difference of $1,174 (1.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Terre Haute?

Indianapolis occupational therapy assistants earn $33.26/hr while Terre Haute hygienists earn $33.82/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Terre Haute. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $72,292, Terre Haute = $77,059), job availability (700 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $39,510 in Indianapolis and $49,812 in Terre Haute. The Terre Haute 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