OT Assistant Salary

San Antonio vs Amarillo: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between San Antonio, TX and Amarillo, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Antonio, TX
$81,467
$39.17/hr
Amarillo, TX
$78,876
$37.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXAmarillo, TX
Median Salary$81,467$78,876
Hourly Rate$39.17$37.92
Entry Level (P10)$65,367$55,867
25th Percentile$79,863$68,276
75th Percentile$88,088$84,345
Top Earner (P90)$96,508$90,730
Total Employed42090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($81,467) and Amarillo ($78,876) occupational therapy assistant salaries.San AntonioAmarilloMedian Salary$81,467$78,876Entry Level (P10)$65,367$55,867Top Earner (P90)$96,508$90,730US Median $74,332

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amarillo.

The salary gap between San Antonio and Amarillo is $2,591 (3.28%). San Antonio's median is +9.60% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Antonio spans $31,141,Amarillo spans $34,863. Amarillo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$65,367
P25$79,863
Median$81,467
P75$88,088
P90 (Top)$96,508
Amarillo
P10 (Entry)$55,867
P25$68,276
Median$78,876
P75$84,345
P90 (Top)$90,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($86,012 effective) pays 0.13% more than Amarillo ($85,903 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $81,467
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $86,012
Amarillo
Nominal: $78,876
CoL Index: 91.82
Adjusted: $85,903

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,467/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,508)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,012)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Amarillo if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in San Antonio grew 51.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in Amarillo over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+51.3%

$52,390 (2019) → $79,240 (2025)

Amarillo, TX

+21.9%

$62,960 (2019) → $76,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: San Antonio or Amarillo?

San Antonio has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $81,467/year, compared to Amarillo at $78,876/year — a difference of $2,591 (3.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Antonio and Amarillo?

San Antonio occupational therapy assistants earn $39.17/hr while Amarillo hygienists earn $37.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Antonio to Amarillo as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and Amarillo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $86,012, Amarillo = $85,903), job availability (420 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in San Antonio vs Amarillo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $65,367 in San Antonio and $55,867 in Amarillo. The San Antonio 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