OT Assistant Salary

Provo vs West Valley City: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Provo, UT
$63,002
$30.29/hr
West Valley City, UT
$73,970
$35.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvo, UTWest Valley City, UT
Median Salary$63,002$73,970
Hourly Rate$30.29$35.56
Entry Level (P10)$51,323$49,516
25th Percentile$54,057$60,352
75th Percentile$73,725$80,865
Top Earner (P90)$83,019$91,572
Total Employed4023
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Provo ($63,002) and West Valley City ($73,970) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ProvoWest Valley CityMedian Salary$63,002$73,970Entry Level (P10)$51,323$49,516Top Earner (P90)$83,019$91,572US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Provo and West Valley City is $10,968 (17.41%). West Valley City's median is -0.49% 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,West Valley City spans $42,056. West Valley City 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
West Valley City
P10 (Entry)$49,516
P25$60,352
Median$73,970
P75$80,865
P90 (Top)$91,572

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, West Valley City ($75,403 effective) pays 17.57% more than Provo ($64,136 effective).

Provo
Nominal: $63,002
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $64,136
West Valley City
Nominal: $73,970
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $75,403

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 West Valley City if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,970/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,572)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,403)
  • 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 West Valley City over the same period.

Provo, UT

+13.7%

$53,900 (2019) → $61,280 (2025)

West Valley City, UT

+20.5%

$59,708 (2024) → $71,948 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Provo or West Valley City?

West Valley City has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,970/year, compared to Provo at $63,002/year — a difference of $10,968 (17.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Provo and West Valley City?

Provo occupational therapy assistants earn $30.29/hr while West Valley City hygienists earn $35.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Provo to West Valley City as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Provo and West Valley City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Provo = $64,136, West Valley City = $75,403), job availability (40 vs 23 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Provo vs West Valley City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $51,323 in Provo and $49,516 in West Valley City. 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