OT Assistant Salary

Laramie vs Powell: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Laramie, WY and Powell, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Laramie, WY
$61,273
$29.46/hr
Powell, WY
$57,289
$27.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLaramie, WYPowell, WY
Median Salary$61,273$57,289
Hourly Rate$29.46$27.54
Entry Level (P10)$44,343$44,164
25th Percentile$52,351$50,726
75th Percentile$65,056$62,038
Top Earner (P90)$71,698$68,452
Total Employed96
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Laramie ($61,273) and Powell ($57,289) occupational therapy assistant salaries.LaramiePowellMedian Salary$61,273$57,289Entry Level (P10)$44,343$44,164Top Earner (P90)$71,698$68,452US Median $74,332

Verdict

Laramie, WY offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Powell.

The salary gap between Laramie and Powell is $3,984 (6.95%). Laramie's median is -17.57% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Laramie spans $27,355,Powell spans $24,288. Laramie has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Laramie
P10 (Entry)$44,343
P25$52,351
Median$61,273
P75$65,056
P90 (Top)$71,698
Powell
P10 (Entry)$44,164
P25$50,726
Median$57,289
P75$62,038
P90 (Top)$68,452

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Laramie ($63,959 effective) pays 6.95% more than Powell ($59,801 effective).

Laramie
Nominal: $61,273
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $63,959
Powell
Nominal: $57,289
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $59,801

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Laramie if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,273/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,698)
  • Larger job market (9 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,959)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Powell if…

  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Laramie grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -1.7% growth in Powell over the same period.

Laramie, WY

+-1.7%

$60,598 (2024) → $59,598 (2025)

Powell, WY

+-1.7%

$56,658 (2024) → $55,723 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Laramie or Powell?

Laramie has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $61,273/year, compared to Powell at $57,289/year — a difference of $3,984 (6.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Laramie and Powell?

Laramie occupational therapy assistants earn $29.46/hr while Powell hygienists earn $27.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Laramie to Powell as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Laramie and Powell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Laramie = $63,959, Powell = $59,801), job availability (9 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Laramie vs Powell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $44,343 in Laramie and $44,164 in Powell. The Laramie 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