OT Assistant Salary

Riverside vs Roseville: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Riverside, CA and Roseville, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Riverside, CA
$82,320
$39.58/hr
Roseville, CA
$97,452
$46.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CARoseville, CA
Median Salary$82,320$97,452
Hourly Rate$39.58$46.85
Entry Level (P10)$67,505$71,484
25th Percentile$78,352$84,318
75th Percentile$87,872$105,600
Top Earner (P90)$101,083$124,999
Total Employed40035
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($82,320) and Roseville ($97,452) occupational therapy assistant salaries.RiversideRosevilleMedian Salary$82,320$97,452Entry Level (P10)$67,505$71,484Top Earner (P90)$101,083$124,999US Median $74,332

Verdict

Roseville, CA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Riverside and Roseville is $15,132 (18.38%). Roseville's median is +31.10% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $33,578,Roseville spans $53,515. Roseville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$67,505
P25$78,352
Median$82,320
P75$87,872
P90 (Top)$101,083
Roseville
P10 (Entry)$71,484
P25$84,318
Median$97,452
P75$105,600
P90 (Top)$124,999

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roseville ($86,164 effective) pays 11.41% more than Riverside ($77,338 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $82,320
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $77,338
Roseville
Nominal: $97,452
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $86,164

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Roseville if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,452/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,999)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,164)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Riverside grew 9.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.2% growth in Roseville over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+9.5%

$73,120 (2019) → $80,070 (2025)

Roseville, CA

+4.2%

$91,008 (2024) → $94,788 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Riverside or Roseville?

Roseville has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $97,452/year, compared to Riverside at $82,320/year — a difference of $15,132 (18.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Roseville?

Riverside occupational therapy assistants earn $39.58/hr while Roseville hygienists earn $46.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Riverside to Roseville as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Roseville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $77,338, Roseville = $86,164), job availability (400 vs 35 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Riverside vs Roseville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $67,505 in Riverside and $71,484 in Roseville. The Roseville 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