OT Assistant Salary

Fremont vs Omaha: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Fremont, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fremont, NE
$65,997
$31.73/hr
Omaha, NE
$67,783
$32.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFremont, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$65,997$67,783
Hourly Rate$31.73$32.59
Entry Level (P10)$46,021$51,354
25th Percentile$57,448$62,539
75th Percentile$72,524$76,717
Top Earner (P90)$81,251$83,389
Total Employed480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fremont ($65,997) and Omaha ($67,783) occupational therapy assistant salaries.FremontOmahaMedian Salary$65,997$67,783Entry Level (P10)$46,021$51,354Top Earner (P90)$81,251$83,389US Median $74,332

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fremont.

The salary gap between Fremont and Omaha is $1,786 (2.71%). Omaha's median is -8.81% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fremont spans $35,230,Omaha spans $32,035. Fremont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fremont
P10 (Entry)$46,021
P25$57,448
Median$65,997
P75$72,524
P90 (Top)$81,251
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$51,354
P25$62,539
Median$67,783
P75$76,717
P90 (Top)$83,389

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($73,749 effective) pays 2.25% more than Fremont ($72,128 effective).

Fremont
Nominal: $65,997
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $72,128
Omaha
Nominal: $67,783
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $73,749

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fremont if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,783/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,389)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,749)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Fremont grew 16.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.0% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Fremont, NE

+16.6%

$55,048 (2024) → $64,193 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+8.0%

$61,040 (2021) → $65,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Fremont or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $67,783/year, compared to Fremont at $65,997/year — a difference of $1,786 (2.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fremont and Omaha?

Fremont occupational therapy assistants earn $31.73/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $32.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fremont to Omaha as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fremont and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fremont = $72,128, Omaha = $73,749), job availability (4 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Fremont vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $46,021 in Fremont and $51,354 in Omaha. The Omaha 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