OT Assistant Salary

Shreveport vs Sulphur: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Shreveport, LA and Sulphur, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shreveport, LA
$71,525
$34.39/hr
Sulphur, LA
$62,602
$30.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShreveport, LASulphur, LA
Median Salary$71,525$62,602
Hourly Rate$34.39$30.09
Entry Level (P10)$45,894$48,601
25th Percentile$63,084$55,480
75th Percentile$82,711$66,509
Top Earner (P90)$83,821$72,730
Total Employed905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shreveport ($71,525) and Sulphur ($62,602) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ShreveportSulphurMedian Salary$71,525$62,602Entry Level (P10)$45,894$48,601Top Earner (P90)$83,821$72,730US Median $74,332

Verdict

Shreveport, LA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sulphur.

The salary gap between Shreveport and Sulphur is $8,923 (14.25%). Shreveport's median is -3.78% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shreveport spans $37,927,Sulphur spans $24,129. Shreveport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$45,894
P25$63,084
Median$71,525
P75$82,711
P90 (Top)$83,821
Sulphur
P10 (Entry)$48,601
P25$55,480
Median$62,602
P75$66,509
P90 (Top)$72,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($84,379 effective) pays 21.71% more than Sulphur ($69,327 effective).

Shreveport
Nominal: $71,525
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $84,379
Sulphur
Nominal: $62,602
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $69,327

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,525/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,821)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,379)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Sulphur if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Shreveport grew 18.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.6% growth in Sulphur over the same period.

Shreveport, LA

+18.3%

$58,790 (2019) → $69,570 (2025)

Sulphur, LA

+17.6%

$51,770 (2024) → $60,891 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Shreveport or Sulphur?

Shreveport has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $71,525/year, compared to Sulphur at $62,602/year — a difference of $8,923 (14.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shreveport and Sulphur?

Shreveport occupational therapy assistants earn $34.39/hr while Sulphur hygienists earn $30.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shreveport to Sulphur as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shreveport and Sulphur. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shreveport = $84,379, Sulphur = $69,327), job availability (90 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Shreveport vs Sulphur?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $45,894 in Shreveport and $48,601 in Sulphur. The Sulphur 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