OT Assistant Salary

Mount Vernon vs Seattle: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Mount Vernon, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mount Vernon, WA
$77,657
$37.33/hr
Seattle, WA
$79,770
$38.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMount Vernon, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$77,657$79,770
Hourly Rate$37.33$38.35
Entry Level (P10)$54,469$67,968
25th Percentile$69,558$76,840
75th Percentile$85,565$84,119
Top Earner (P90)$95,979$93,238
Total Employed6350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mount Vernon ($77,657) and Seattle ($79,770) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Mount VernonSeattleMedian Salary$77,657$79,770Entry Level (P10)$54,469$67,968Top Earner (P90)$95,979$93,238US Median $74,332

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Vernon.

The salary gap between Mount Vernon and Seattle is $2,113 (2.72%). Seattle's median is +7.32% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mount Vernon spans $41,510,Seattle spans $25,270. Mount Vernon has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mount Vernon
P10 (Entry)$54,469
P25$69,558
Median$77,657
P75$85,565
P90 (Top)$95,979
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$67,968
P25$76,840
Median$79,770
P75$84,119
P90 (Top)$93,238

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mount Vernon ($72,306 effective) pays 0.73% more than Seattle ($71,779 effective).

Mount Vernon
Nominal: $77,657
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $72,306
Seattle
Nominal: $79,770
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $71,779

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mount Vernon if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,979)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,306)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,770/year)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Mount Vernon grew 0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.6% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Mount Vernon, WA

+0.4%

$75,221 (2024) → $75,534 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+19.6%

$64,870 (2019) → $77,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Mount Vernon or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $79,770/year, compared to Mount Vernon at $77,657/year — a difference of $2,113 (2.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mount Vernon and Seattle?

Mount Vernon occupational therapy assistants earn $37.33/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $38.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mount Vernon to Seattle as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mount Vernon and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mount Vernon = $72,306, Seattle = $71,779), job availability (6 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Mount Vernon vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,469 in Mount Vernon and $67,968 in Seattle. The Seattle 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