OT Assistant Salary

Augusta vs Kennesaw: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$69,685
$33.51/hr
Kennesaw, GA
$66,066
$31.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAKennesaw, GA
Median Salary$69,685$66,066
Hourly Rate$33.51$31.76
Entry Level (P10)$48,639$49,756
25th Percentile$58,211$56,208
75th Percentile$76,645$71,338
Top Earner (P90)$84,037$79,264
Total Employed1008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($69,685) and Kennesaw ($66,066) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AugustaKennesawMedian Salary$69,685$66,066Entry Level (P10)$48,639$49,756Top Earner (P90)$84,037$79,264US Median $74,332

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennesaw.

The salary gap between Augusta and Kennesaw is $3,619 (5.48%). Augusta's median is -6.25% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $35,398,Kennesaw spans $29,508. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$48,639
P25$58,211
Median$69,685
P75$76,645
P90 (Top)$84,037
Kennesaw
P10 (Entry)$49,756
P25$56,208
Median$66,066
P75$71,338
P90 (Top)$79,264

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($75,825 effective) pays 6.85% more than Kennesaw ($70,962 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $69,685
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $75,825
Kennesaw
Nominal: $66,066
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $70,962

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,685/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,037)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,825)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Kennesaw if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Augusta grew 18.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.5% growth in Kennesaw over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+18.6%

$57,170 (2019) → $67,780 (2025)

Kennesaw, GA

+9.5%

$58,661 (2024) → $64,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Augusta or Kennesaw?

Augusta has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,685/year, compared to Kennesaw at $66,066/year — a difference of $3,619 (5.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Kennesaw?

Augusta occupational therapy assistants earn $33.51/hr while Kennesaw hygienists earn $31.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Kennesaw as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Kennesaw. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $75,825, Kennesaw = $70,962), job availability (100 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Augusta vs Kennesaw?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $48,639 in Augusta and $49,756 in Kennesaw. The Kennesaw 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