OT Assistant Salary

Cabot vs Little Rock: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Cabot, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cabot, AR
$62,148
$29.88/hr
Little Rock, AR
$80,932
$38.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCabot, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$62,148$80,932
Hourly Rate$29.88$38.91
Entry Level (P10)$47,331$45,822
25th Percentile$53,456$63,814
75th Percentile$67,671$96,333
Top Earner (P90)$75,489$103,530
Total Employed4260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cabot ($62,148) and Little Rock ($80,932) occupational therapy assistant salaries.CabotLittle RockMedian Salary$62,148$80,932Entry Level (P10)$47,331$45,822Top Earner (P90)$75,489$103,530US Median $74,332

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cabot.

The salary gap between Cabot and Little Rock is $18,784 (30.22%). Little Rock's median is +8.88% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cabot spans $28,158,Little Rock spans $57,708. Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Cabot
P10 (Entry)$47,331
P25$53,456
Median$62,148
P75$67,671
P90 (Top)$75,489
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$45,822
P25$63,814
Median$80,932
P75$96,333
P90 (Top)$103,530

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Little Rock ($90,564 effective) pays 26.63% more than Cabot ($71,517 effective).

Cabot
Nominal: $62,148
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $71,517
Little Rock
Nominal: $80,932
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $90,564

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cabot if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,932/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,530)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,564)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Cabot grew 24.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.1% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Cabot, AR

+24.7%

$48,493 (2024) → $60,449 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+32.1%

$59,570 (2019) → $78,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Cabot or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $80,932/year, compared to Cabot at $62,148/year — a difference of $18,784 (30.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cabot and Little Rock?

Cabot occupational therapy assistants earn $29.88/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $38.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cabot to Little Rock as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cabot and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cabot = $71,517, Little Rock = $90,564), job availability (4 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Cabot vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $47,331 in Cabot and $45,822 in Little Rock. The Cabot 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