OT Assistant Salary

Austin vs Haltom City: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Austin, TX and Haltom City, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$83,790
$40.29/hr
Haltom City, TX
$74,333
$35.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXHaltom City, TX
Median Salary$83,790$74,333
Hourly Rate$40.29$35.74
Entry Level (P10)$83,790$55,198
25th Percentile$83,790$64,371
75th Percentile$98,595$79,787
Top Earner (P90)$98,595$88,122
Total Employed1,19011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($83,790) and Haltom City ($74,333) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AustinHaltom CityMedian Salary$83,790$74,333Entry Level (P10)$83,790$55,198Top Earner (P90)$98,595$88,122US Median $74,332

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Haltom City.

The salary gap between Austin and Haltom City is $9,457 (12.72%). Austin's median is +12.72% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $14,805,Haltom City spans $32,924. Haltom City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$83,790
P25$83,790
Median$83,790
P75$98,595
P90 (Top)$98,595
Haltom City
P10 (Entry)$55,198
P25$64,371
Median$74,333
P75$79,787
P90 (Top)$88,122

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($85,442 effective) pays 10.35% more than Haltom City ($77,430 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $83,790
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $85,442
Haltom City
Nominal: $74,333
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $77,430

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,790/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,595)
  • Larger job market (1,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,442)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Haltom City if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Austin grew 21.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.4% growth in Haltom City over the same period.

Austin, TX

+21.8%

$66,920 (2019) → $81,500 (2025)

Haltom City, TX

+4.4%

$69,245 (2024) → $72,301 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Austin or Haltom City?

Austin has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,790/year, compared to Haltom City at $74,333/year — a difference of $9,457 (12.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Haltom City?

Austin occupational therapy assistants earn $40.29/hr while Haltom City hygienists earn $35.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Haltom City as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Haltom City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $85,442, Haltom City = $77,430), job availability (1,190 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Austin vs Haltom City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $83,790 in Austin and $55,198 in Haltom City. The Austin 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