OT Assistant Salary

Fishers vs Indianapolis: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Fishers, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fishers, IN
$69,500
$33.41/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$69,181
$33.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFishers, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$69,500$69,181
Hourly Rate$33.41$33.26
Entry Level (P10)$47,827$39,510
25th Percentile$57,548$60,853
75th Percentile$74,095$80,182
Top Earner (P90)$89,055$89,815
Total Employed21700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fishers ($69,500) and Indianapolis ($69,181) occupational therapy assistant salaries.FishersIndianapolisMedian Salary$69,500$69,181Entry Level (P10)$47,827$39,510Top Earner (P90)$89,055$89,815US Median $74,332

Verdict

Fishers and Indianapolis are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Fishers and Indianapolis is $319 (0.46%). Fishers's median is -6.50% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fishers spans $41,228,Indianapolis spans $50,305. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Fishers
P10 (Entry)$47,827
P25$57,548
Median$69,500
P75$74,095
P90 (Top)$89,055
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$39,510
P25$60,853
Median$69,181
P75$80,182
P90 (Top)$89,815

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fishers ($76,123 effective) pays 5.30% more than Indianapolis ($72,292 effective).

Fishers
Nominal: $69,500
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $76,123
Indianapolis
Nominal: $69,181
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $72,292

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fishers if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,500/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,123)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,815)
  • Larger job market (700 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Fishers grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.0% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Fishers, IN

+12.4%

$60,116 (2024) → $67,600 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+28.0%

$52,570 (2019) → $67,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Fishers or Indianapolis?

Fishers has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,500/year, compared to Indianapolis at $69,181/year — a difference of $319 (0.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fishers and Indianapolis?

Fishers occupational therapy assistants earn $33.41/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $33.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fishers to Indianapolis as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fishers and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fishers = $76,123, Indianapolis = $72,292), job availability (21 vs 700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Fishers vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $47,827 in Fishers and $39,510 in Indianapolis. The Fishers 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