OT Assistant Salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$80,284
$38.61/hr
Perris, CA
$84,821
$40.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAPerris, CA
Median Salary$80,284$84,821
Hourly Rate$38.61$40.77
Entry Level (P10)$66,467$62,052
25th Percentile$78,393$73,256
75th Percentile$93,619$95,177
Top Earner (P90)$106,038$105,457
Total Employed1,72012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($80,284) and Perris ($84,821) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Los AngelesPerrisMedian Salary$80,284$84,821Entry Level (P10)$66,467$62,052Top Earner (P90)$106,038$105,457US Median $74,332

Verdict

Los Angeles and Perris are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Perris is $4,537 (5.65%). Perris's median is +14.11% 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,Perris spans $43,405. Perris 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
Perris
P10 (Entry)$62,052
P25$73,256
Median$84,821
P75$95,177
P90 (Top)$105,457

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Perris ($74,996 effective) pays 6.09% more than Los Angeles ($70,694 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,284
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,694
Perris
Nominal: $84,821
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $74,996

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,038)
  • Larger job market (1,720 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Perris if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,821/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,996)
  • 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 Perris over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+10.0%

$71,000 (2019) → $78,090 (2025)

Perris, CA

+-6.7%

$88,447 (2024) → $82,503 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Perris has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $84,821/year, compared to Los Angeles at $80,284/year — a difference of $4,537 (5.65%).

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

Los Angeles occupational therapy assistants earn $38.61/hr while Perris hygienists earn $40.77/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Perris. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $70,694, Perris = $74,996), job availability (1,720 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $66,467 in Los Angeles and $62,052 in Perris. 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