OT Assistant Salary

Birmingham vs Prattville: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Birmingham, AL and Prattville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$64,945
$31.22/hr
Prattville, AL
$63,943
$30.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALPrattville, AL
Median Salary$64,945$63,943
Hourly Rate$31.22$30.74
Entry Level (P10)$51,508$45,491
25th Percentile$62,519$53,853
75th Percentile$78,763$67,232
Top Earner (P90)$84,212$79,625
Total Employed1908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($64,945) and Prattville ($63,943) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BirminghamPrattvilleMedian Salary$64,945$63,943Entry Level (P10)$51,508$45,491Top Earner (P90)$84,212$79,625US Median $74,332

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Prattville.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Prattville is $1,002 (1.57%). Birmingham's median is -12.63% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $32,704,Prattville spans $34,134. Prattville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$51,508
P25$62,519
Median$64,945
P75$78,763
P90 (Top)$84,212
Prattville
P10 (Entry)$45,491
P25$53,853
Median$63,943
P75$67,232
P90 (Top)$79,625

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Prattville ($72,745 effective) pays 2.65% more than Birmingham ($70,867 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $64,945
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $70,867
Prattville
Nominal: $63,943
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $72,745

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,945/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,212)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Prattville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,745)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Birmingham grew -1.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.7% growth in Prattville over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+-1.8%

$64,330 (2019) → $63,170 (2025)

Prattville, AL

+24.7%

$49,894 (2024) → $62,195 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Birmingham or Prattville?

Birmingham has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $64,945/year, compared to Prattville at $63,943/year — a difference of $1,002 (1.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Prattville?

Birmingham occupational therapy assistants earn $31.22/hr while Prattville hygienists earn $30.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Prattville as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Prattville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $70,867, Prattville = $72,745), job availability (190 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Birmingham vs Prattville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $51,508 in Birmingham and $45,491 in Prattville. The Birmingham 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