OT Assistant Salary

Phoenix vs Prescott Valley: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Phoenix, AZ and Prescott Valley, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Phoenix, AZ
$78,218
$37.61/hr
Prescott Valley, AZ
$70,672
$33.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhoenix, AZPrescott Valley, AZ
Median Salary$78,218$70,672
Hourly Rate$37.61$33.98
Entry Level (P10)$65,068$54,493
25th Percentile$65,572$62,634
75th Percentile$81,785$77,326
Top Earner (P90)$95,850$86,106
Total Employed80010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Phoenix ($78,218) and Prescott Valley ($70,672) occupational therapy assistant salaries.PhoenixPrescott ValleyMedian Salary$78,218$70,672Entry Level (P10)$65,068$54,493Top Earner (P90)$95,850$86,106US Median $74,332

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Prescott Valley.

The salary gap between Phoenix and Prescott Valley is $7,546 (10.68%). Phoenix's median is +5.23% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Phoenix spans $30,782,Prescott Valley spans $31,613. Prescott Valley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$65,068
P25$65,572
Median$78,218
P75$81,785
P90 (Top)$95,850
Prescott Valley
P10 (Entry)$54,493
P25$62,634
Median$70,672
P75$77,326
P90 (Top)$86,106

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($75,708 effective) pays 5.52% more than Prescott Valley ($71,748 effective).

Phoenix
Nominal: $78,218
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $75,708
Prescott Valley
Nominal: $70,672
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $71,748

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,218/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,850)
  • Larger job market (800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,708)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Prescott Valley if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Phoenix grew 13.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in Prescott Valley over the same period.

Phoenix, AZ

+13.2%

$67,210 (2019) → $76,080 (2025)

Prescott Valley, AZ

+3.3%

$66,552 (2024) → $68,740 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Phoenix or Prescott Valley?

Phoenix has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $78,218/year, compared to Prescott Valley at $70,672/year — a difference of $7,546 (10.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Phoenix and Prescott Valley?

Phoenix occupational therapy assistants earn $37.61/hr while Prescott Valley hygienists earn $33.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Phoenix to Prescott Valley as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Phoenix and Prescott Valley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Phoenix = $75,708, Prescott Valley = $71,748), job availability (800 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Phoenix vs Prescott Valley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $65,068 in Phoenix and $54,493 in Prescott Valley. The Phoenix 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