OT Assistant Salary

Chino vs Sacramento: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Chino, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chino, CA
$87,735
$42.18/hr
Sacramento, CA
$97,855
$47.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChino, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$87,735$97,855
Hourly Rate$42.18$47.05
Entry Level (P10)$62,196$79,328
25th Percentile$74,080$87,327
75th Percentile$94,902$103,478
Top Earner (P90)$106,034$110,757
Total Employed17170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chino ($87,735) and Sacramento ($97,855) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ChinoSacramentoMedian Salary$87,735$97,855Entry Level (P10)$62,196$79,328Top Earner (P90)$106,034$110,757US Median $74,332

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chino.

The salary gap between Chino and Sacramento is $10,120 (11.53%). Sacramento's median is +31.65% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chino spans $43,838,Sacramento spans $31,429. Chino has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chino
P10 (Entry)$62,196
P25$74,080
Median$87,735
P75$94,902
P90 (Top)$106,034
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$79,328
P25$87,327
Median$97,855
P75$103,478
P90 (Top)$110,757

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($91,736 effective) pays 18.26% more than Chino ($77,573 effective).

Chino
Nominal: $87,735
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $77,573
Sacramento
Nominal: $97,855
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $91,736

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chino if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,855/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,757)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,736)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Chino grew -6.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.9% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Chino, CA

+-6.7%

$91,485 (2024) → $85,337 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+5.9%

$89,910 (2019) → $95,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Chino or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $97,855/year, compared to Chino at $87,735/year — a difference of $10,120 (11.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chino and Sacramento?

Chino occupational therapy assistants earn $42.18/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $47.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chino to Sacramento as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chino and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chino = $77,573, Sacramento = $91,736), job availability (17 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Chino vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $62,196 in Chino and $79,328 in Sacramento. The Sacramento 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