OT Assistant Salary

Provo vs Syracuse: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Provo, UT
$63,002
$30.29/hr
Syracuse, UT
$70,859
$34.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvo, UTSyracuse, UT
Median Salary$63,002$70,859
Hourly Rate$30.29$34.07
Entry Level (P10)$51,323$49,579
25th Percentile$54,057$61,805
75th Percentile$73,725$78,094
Top Earner (P90)$83,019$87,259
Total Employed406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Provo ($63,002) and Syracuse ($70,859) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ProvoSyracuseMedian Salary$63,002$70,859Entry Level (P10)$51,323$49,579Top Earner (P90)$83,019$87,259US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Provo and Syracuse is $7,857 (12.47%). Syracuse's median is -4.67% 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,Syracuse spans $37,680. Syracuse 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
Syracuse
P10 (Entry)$49,579
P25$61,805
Median$70,859
P75$78,094
P90 (Top)$87,259

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Syracuse ($72,231 effective) pays 12.62% more than Provo ($64,136 effective).

Provo
Nominal: $63,002
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $64,136
Syracuse
Nominal: $70,859
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $72,231

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 Syracuse if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,859/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($87,259)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,231)
  • 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 Syracuse over the same period.

Provo, UT

+13.7%

$53,900 (2019) → $61,280 (2025)

Syracuse, UT

+20.5%

$57,197 (2024) → $68,922 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Provo or Syracuse?

Syracuse has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $70,859/year, compared to Provo at $63,002/year — a difference of $7,857 (12.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Provo and Syracuse?

Provo occupational therapy assistants earn $30.29/hr while Syracuse hygienists earn $34.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Provo to Syracuse as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Provo and Syracuse. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Provo = $64,136, Syracuse = $72,231), job availability (40 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Provo vs Syracuse?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $51,323 in Provo and $49,579 in Syracuse. The Provo 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