OT Assistant Salary

Jonesboro vs Little Rock: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Jonesboro, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jonesboro, AR
$80,870
$38.88/hr
Little Rock, AR
$80,932
$38.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJonesboro, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$80,870$80,932▲
Hourly Rate$38.88$38.91▲
Entry Level (P10)$54,253▲$45,822
25th Percentile$68,430▲$63,814
75th Percentile$83,800$96,333▲
Top Earner (P90)$95,778$103,530▲
Total Employed90260▲
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jonesboro ($80,870) and Little Rock ($80,932) occupational therapy assistant salaries.JonesboroLittle RockMedian Salary$80,870$80,932Entry Level (P10)$54,253$45,822Top Earner (P90)$95,778$103,530US Median $74,332

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jonesboro.

The salary gap between Jonesboro and Little Rock is $62 (0.08%). Little Rock's median is +8.88% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jonesboro spans $41,525,Little Rock spans $57,708. Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Jonesboro
P10 (Entry)$54,253
P25$68,430
Median$80,870
P75$83,800
P90 (Top)$95,778
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$45,822
P25$63,814
Median$80,932
P75$96,333
P90 (Top)$103,530

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jonesboro ($94,171 effective) pays 3.98% more than Little Rock ($90,564 effective).

Jonesboro
Nominal: $80,870
CoL Index: 85.876
Adjusted: $94,171
Little Rock
Nominal: $80,932
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $90,564

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jonesboro if…

  • ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,171)
  • ✓You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • ✓Higher median salary ($80,932/year)
  • ✓Better top-earner potential ($103,530)
  • ✓Larger job market (260 employed)
  • ✓You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Jonesboro grew 23.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.1% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Jonesboro, AR

+23.4%

$63,750 (2019) → $78,660 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+32.1%

$59,570 (2019) → $78,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Jonesboro, AR

Salary →Hourly →Entry Level →Senior →

Little Rock, AR

Salary →Hourly →Entry Level →Senior →

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Jonesboro or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $80,932/year, compared to Jonesboro at $80,870/year — a difference of $62 (0.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jonesboro and Little Rock?

Jonesboro occupational therapy assistants earn $38.88/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $38.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jonesboro to Little Rock as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jonesboro and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jonesboro = $94,171, Little Rock = $90,564), job availability (90 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Jonesboro vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,253 in Jonesboro and $45,822 in Little Rock. The Jonesboro 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

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