OT Assistant Salary

Sandy Springs vs Savannah: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Sandy Springs, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sandy Springs, GA
$81,949
$39.40/hr
Savannah, GA
$74,147
$35.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSandy Springs, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$81,949$74,147
Hourly Rate$39.40$35.64
Entry Level (P10)$56,729$50,305
25th Percentile$68,341$64,781
75th Percentile$89,350$81,837
Top Earner (P90)$100,727$88,941
Total Employed1840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sandy Springs ($81,949) and Savannah ($74,147) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Sandy SpringsSavannahMedian Salary$81,949$74,147Entry Level (P10)$56,729$50,305Top Earner (P90)$100,727$88,941US Median $74,332

Verdict

Sandy Springs, GA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Savannah.

The salary gap between Sandy Springs and Savannah is $7,802 (10.52%). Sandy Springs's median is +10.25% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sandy Springs spans $43,998,Savannah spans $38,636. Sandy Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sandy Springs
P10 (Entry)$56,729
P25$68,341
Median$81,949
P75$89,350
P90 (Top)$100,727
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$50,305
P25$64,781
Median$74,147
P75$81,837
P90 (Top)$88,941

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sandy Springs ($88,023 effective) pays 13.02% more than Savannah ($77,881 effective).

Sandy Springs
Nominal: $81,949
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $88,023
Savannah
Nominal: $74,147
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $77,881

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sandy Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,949/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,727)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,023)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

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

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Sandy Springs grew 26.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.7% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Sandy Springs, GA

+26.0%

$63,274 (2024) → $79,709 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+20.7%

$59,740 (2019) → $72,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Sandy Springs or Savannah?

Sandy Springs has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $81,949/year, compared to Savannah at $74,147/year — a difference of $7,802 (10.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sandy Springs and Savannah?

Sandy Springs occupational therapy assistants earn $39.40/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $35.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sandy Springs to Savannah as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sandy Springs and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sandy Springs = $88,023, Savannah = $77,881), job availability (18 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Sandy Springs vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $56,729 in Sandy Springs and $50,305 in Savannah. The Sandy Springs 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