OT Assistant Salary

Carson City vs Henderson: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Carson City, NV and Henderson, NV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carson City, NV
$71,206
$34.24/hr
Henderson, NV
$80,993
$38.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarson City, NVHenderson, NV
Median Salary$71,206$80,993
Hourly Rate$34.24$38.93
Entry Level (P10)$52,037$56,834
25th Percentile$61,238$68,575
75th Percentile$78,082$91,637
Top Earner (P90)$88,097$106,290
Total Employed1479
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carson City ($71,206) and Henderson ($80,993) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Carson CityHendersonMedian Salary$71,206$80,993Entry Level (P10)$52,037$56,834Top Earner (P90)$88,097$106,290US Median $74,332

Verdict

Henderson, NV offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carson City.

The salary gap between Carson City and Henderson is $9,787 (13.74%). Henderson's median is +8.96% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carson City spans $36,060,Henderson spans $49,456. Henderson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Carson City
P10 (Entry)$52,037
P25$61,238
Median$71,206
P75$78,082
P90 (Top)$88,097
Henderson
P10 (Entry)$56,834
P25$68,575
Median$80,993
P75$91,637
P90 (Top)$106,290

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Henderson ($82,394 effective) pays 13.74% more than Carson City ($72,437 effective).

Carson City
Nominal: $71,206
CoL Index: 98.3
Adjusted: $72,437
Henderson
Nominal: $80,993
CoL Index: 98.3
Adjusted: $82,394

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carson City if…

  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Choose Henderson if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,993/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,290)
  • Larger job market (79 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,394)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Carson City grew -9.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.7% growth in Henderson over the same period.

Carson City, NV

+-9.6%

$76,636 (2024) → $69,260 (2025)

Henderson, NV

+-3.7%

$81,802 (2024) → $78,779 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Carson City or Henderson?

Henderson has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $80,993/year, compared to Carson City at $71,206/year — a difference of $9,787 (13.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carson City and Henderson?

Carson City occupational therapy assistants earn $34.24/hr while Henderson hygienists earn $38.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carson City to Henderson as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carson City and Henderson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carson City = $72,437, Henderson = $82,394), job availability (14 vs 79 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Carson City vs Henderson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $52,037 in Carson City and $56,834 in Henderson. The Henderson 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