OT Assistant Salary

Canby vs Portland: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Canby, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Canby, OR
$71,841
$34.53/hr
Portland, OR
$80,850
$38.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCanby, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$71,841$80,850
Hourly Rate$34.53$38.87
Entry Level (P10)$51,596$67,022
25th Percentile$65,304$73,499
75th Percentile$75,208$86,638
Top Earner (P90)$81,658$93,968
Total Employed4170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Canby ($71,841) and Portland ($80,850) occupational therapy assistant salaries.CanbyPortlandMedian Salary$71,841$80,850Entry Level (P10)$51,596$67,022Top Earner (P90)$81,658$93,968US Median $74,332

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Canby.

The salary gap between Canby and Portland is $9,009 (12.54%). Portland's median is +8.77% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Canby spans $30,062,Portland spans $26,946. Canby has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Canby
P10 (Entry)$51,596
P25$65,304
Median$71,841
P75$75,208
P90 (Top)$81,658
Portland
P10 (Entry)$67,022
P25$73,499
Median$80,850
P75$86,638
P90 (Top)$93,968

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($76,692 effective) pays 9.53% more than Canby ($70,020 effective).

Canby
Nominal: $71,841
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $70,020
Portland
Nominal: $80,850
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $76,692

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Canby if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,850/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,968)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,692)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Canby grew 0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.2% growth in Portland over the same period.

Canby, OR

+0.4%

$69,587 (2024) → $69,877 (2025)

Portland, OR

+25.2%

$62,790 (2019) → $78,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Canby or Portland?

Portland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $80,850/year, compared to Canby at $71,841/year — a difference of $9,009 (12.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Canby and Portland?

Canby occupational therapy assistants earn $34.53/hr while Portland hygienists earn $38.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Canby to Portland as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Canby and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Canby = $70,020, Portland = $76,692), job availability (4 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Canby vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $51,596 in Canby and $67,022 in Portland. The Portland 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