OT Assistant Salary

Houston vs Stephenville: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Houston, TX and Stephenville, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$83,626
$40.21/hr
Stephenville, TX
$73,212
$35.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXStephenville, TX
Median Salary$83,626$73,212
Hourly Rate$40.21$35.20
Entry Level (P10)$63,629$58,174
25th Percentile$77,190$65,855
75th Percentile$91,007$75,989
Top Earner (P90)$96,713$82,160
Total Employed9006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($83,626) and Stephenville ($73,212) occupational therapy assistant salaries.HoustonStephenvilleMedian Salary$83,626$73,212Entry Level (P10)$63,629$58,174Top Earner (P90)$96,713$82,160US Median $74,332

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Stephenville.

The salary gap between Houston and Stephenville is $10,414 (14.22%). Houston's median is +12.50% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $33,084,Stephenville spans $23,986. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$63,629
P25$77,190
Median$83,626
P75$91,007
P90 (Top)$96,713
Stephenville
P10 (Entry)$58,174
P25$65,855
Median$73,212
P75$75,989
P90 (Top)$82,160

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($84,788 effective) pays 11.18% more than Stephenville ($76,263 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $83,626
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $84,788
Stephenville
Nominal: $73,212
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $76,263

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,626/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,713)
  • Larger job market (900 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,788)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Stephenville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Houston grew 11.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.4% growth in Stephenville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+11.4%

$73,010 (2019) → $81,340 (2025)

Stephenville, TX

+4.4%

$68,201 (2024) → $71,211 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Houston or Stephenville?

Houston has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,626/year, compared to Stephenville at $73,212/year — a difference of $10,414 (14.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Stephenville?

Houston occupational therapy assistants earn $40.21/hr while Stephenville hygienists earn $35.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Stephenville as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Stephenville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $84,788, Stephenville = $76,263), job availability (900 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Houston vs Stephenville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $63,629 in Houston and $58,174 in Stephenville. The Houston 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