OT Assistant Salary

Austin vs The Colony: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$83,790
$40.29/hr
The Colony, TX
$76,606
$36.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXThe Colony, TX
Median Salary$83,790$76,606
Hourly Rate$40.29$36.83
Entry Level (P10)$83,790$54,430
25th Percentile$83,790$64,466
75th Percentile$98,595$82,146
Top Earner (P90)$98,595$90,591
Total Employed1,1909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($83,790) and The Colony ($76,606) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AustinThe ColonyMedian Salary$83,790$76,606Entry Level (P10)$83,790$54,430Top Earner (P90)$98,595$90,591US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and The Colony is $7,184 (9.38%). 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,The Colony spans $36,161. The Colony 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
The Colony
P10 (Entry)$54,430
P25$64,466
Median$76,606
P75$82,146
P90 (Top)$90,591

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($85,442 effective) pays 7.07% more than The Colony ($79,798 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $83,790
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $85,442
The Colony
Nominal: $76,606
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $79,798

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 The Colony 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 The Colony over the same period.

Austin, TX

+21.8%

$66,920 (2019) → $81,500 (2025)

The Colony, TX

+4.4%

$71,363 (2024) → $74,512 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Austin or The Colony?

Austin has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,790/year, compared to The Colony at $76,606/year — a difference of $7,184 (9.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and The Colony?

Austin occupational therapy assistants earn $40.29/hr while The Colony hygienists earn $36.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to The Colony as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and The Colony. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $85,442, The Colony = $79,798), job availability (1,190 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Austin vs The Colony?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $83,790 in Austin and $54,430 in The Colony. 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