OT Assistant Salary

Provo vs St. George: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Provo, UT and St. George, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Provo, UT
$63,002
$30.29/hr
St. George, UT
$71,245
$34.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvo, UTSt. George, UT
Median Salary$63,002$71,245
Hourly Rate$30.29$34.26
Entry Level (P10)$51,323$52,066
25th Percentile$54,057$61,491
75th Percentile$73,725$79,903
Top Earner (P90)$83,019$91,109
Total Employed4014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Provo ($63,002) and St. George ($71,245) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ProvoSt. GeorgeMedian Salary$63,002$71,245Entry Level (P10)$51,323$52,066Top Earner (P90)$83,019$91,109US Median $74,332

Verdict

St. George, UT offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Provo.

The salary gap between Provo and St. George is $8,243 (13.08%). St. George's median is -4.15% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Provo spans $31,696,St. George spans $39,043. St. George has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Provo
P10 (Entry)$51,323
P25$54,057
Median$63,002
P75$73,725
P90 (Top)$83,019
St. George
P10 (Entry)$52,066
P25$61,491
Median$71,245
P75$79,903
P90 (Top)$91,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. George ($72,625 effective) pays 13.24% more than Provo ($64,136 effective).

Provo
Nominal: $63,002
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $64,136
St. George
Nominal: $71,245
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $72,625

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Provo if…

  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose St. George if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,245/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,109)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,625)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Provo grew 13.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.5% growth in St. George over the same period.

Provo, UT

+13.7%

$53,900 (2019) → $61,280 (2025)

St. George, UT

+20.5%

$57,509 (2024) → $69,298 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Provo or St. George?

St. George has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $71,245/year, compared to Provo at $63,002/year — a difference of $8,243 (13.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Provo and St. George?

Provo occupational therapy assistants earn $30.29/hr while St. George hygienists earn $34.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Provo to St. George as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Provo and St. George. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Provo = $64,136, St. George = $72,625), job availability (40 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Provo vs St. George?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $51,323 in Provo and $52,066 in St. George. The St. George 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