OT Assistant Salary

Los Angeles vs Menifee: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Menifee, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$80,284
$38.61/hr
Menifee, CA
$86,177
$41.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAMenifee, CA
Median Salary$80,284$86,177
Hourly Rate$38.61$41.43
Entry Level (P10)$66,467$61,603
25th Percentile$78,393$73,277
75th Percentile$93,619$95,331
Top Earner (P90)$106,038$108,569
Total Employed1,72020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($80,284) and Menifee ($86,177) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Los AngelesMenifeeMedian Salary$80,284$86,177Entry Level (P10)$66,467$61,603Top Earner (P90)$106,038$108,569US Median $74,332

Verdict

Menifee, CA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Menifee is $5,893 (7.34%). Menifee's median is +15.94% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $39,571,Menifee spans $46,966. Menifee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$66,467
P25$78,393
Median$80,284
P75$93,619
P90 (Top)$106,038
Menifee
P10 (Entry)$61,603
P25$73,277
Median$86,177
P75$95,331
P90 (Top)$108,569

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Menifee ($76,195 effective) pays 7.78% more than Los Angeles ($70,694 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,284
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,694
Menifee
Nominal: $86,177
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $76,195

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (1,720 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Menifee if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,177/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,569)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,195)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Los Angeles grew 10.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.7% growth in Menifee over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+10.0%

$71,000 (2019) → $78,090 (2025)

Menifee, CA

+-6.7%

$89,861 (2024) → $83,822 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Los Angeles or Menifee?

Menifee has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $86,177/year, compared to Los Angeles at $80,284/year — a difference of $5,893 (7.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Menifee?

Los Angeles occupational therapy assistants earn $38.61/hr while Menifee hygienists earn $41.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Menifee as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Menifee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $70,694, Menifee = $76,195), job availability (1,720 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Los Angeles vs Menifee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $66,467 in Los Angeles and $61,603 in Menifee. The Los Angeles 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