OT Assistant Salary

Huron vs Sioux Falls: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Huron, SD and Sioux Falls, SD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huron, SD
$63,614
$30.59/hr
Sioux Falls, SD
$57,759
$27.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuron, SDSioux Falls, SD
Median Salary$63,614$57,759
Hourly Rate$30.59$27.77
Entry Level (P10)$49,101$47,622
25th Percentile$56,169$49,832
75th Percentile$68,739$60,123
Top Earner (P90)$73,589$75,925
Total Employed540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huron ($63,614) and Sioux Falls ($57,759) occupational therapy assistant salaries.HuronSioux FallsMedian Salary$63,614$57,759Entry Level (P10)$49,101$47,622Top Earner (P90)$73,589$75,925US Median $74,332

Verdict

Huron and Sioux Falls are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Huron and Sioux Falls is $5,855 (10.14%). Huron's median is -14.42% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huron spans $24,488,Sioux Falls spans $28,303. Sioux Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Huron
P10 (Entry)$49,101
P25$56,169
Median$63,614
P75$68,739
P90 (Top)$73,589
Sioux Falls
P10 (Entry)$47,622
P25$49,832
Median$57,759
P75$60,123
P90 (Top)$75,925

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huron ($68,550 effective) pays 7.56% more than Sioux Falls ($63,730 effective).

Huron
Nominal: $63,614
CoL Index: 92.8
Adjusted: $68,550
Sioux Falls
Nominal: $57,759
CoL Index: 90.631
Adjusted: $63,730

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huron if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,614/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,550)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Sioux Falls if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($75,925)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Huron grew 20.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 53.2% growth in Sioux Falls over the same period.

Huron, SD

+20.5%

$51,349 (2024) → $61,875 (2025)

Sioux Falls, SD

+53.2%

$36,670 (2019) → $56,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Huron or Sioux Falls?

Huron has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $63,614/year, compared to Sioux Falls at $57,759/year — a difference of $5,855 (10.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huron and Sioux Falls?

Huron occupational therapy assistants earn $30.59/hr while Sioux Falls hygienists earn $27.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huron to Sioux Falls as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huron and Sioux Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huron = $68,550, Sioux Falls = $63,730), job availability (5 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Huron vs Sioux Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $49,101 in Huron and $47,622 in Sioux Falls. The Huron 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