OT Assistant Salary

Juneau vs Wasilla: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Juneau, AK and Wasilla, AK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Juneau, AK
$77,965
$37.48/hr
Wasilla, AK
$72,909
$35.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJuneau, AKWasilla, AK
Median Salary$77,965$72,909
Hourly Rate$37.48$35.05
Entry Level (P10)$54,109$56,494
25th Percentile$69,653$62,946
75th Percentile$82,801$77,466
Top Earner (P90)$91,266$84,451
Total Employed64
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Juneau ($77,965) and Wasilla ($72,909) occupational therapy assistant salaries.JuneauWasillaMedian Salary$77,965$72,909Entry Level (P10)$54,109$56,494Top Earner (P90)$91,266$84,451US Median $74,332

Verdict

Juneau, AK offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wasilla.

The salary gap between Juneau and Wasilla is $5,056 (6.93%). Juneau's median is +4.89% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Juneau spans $37,157,Wasilla spans $27,957. Juneau has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Juneau
P10 (Entry)$54,109
P25$69,653
Median$77,965
P75$82,801
P90 (Top)$91,266
Wasilla
P10 (Entry)$56,494
P25$62,946
Median$72,909
P75$77,466
P90 (Top)$84,451

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Juneau ($73,483 effective) pays 6.93% more than Wasilla ($68,717 effective).

Juneau
Nominal: $77,965
CoL Index: 106.1
Adjusted: $73,483
Wasilla
Nominal: $72,909
CoL Index: 106.1
Adjusted: $68,717

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Juneau if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,965/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,266)
  • Larger job market (6 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,483)
  • You prefer the Alaska area and lifestyle

Choose Wasilla if…

  • You prefer the Alaska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Juneau grew 0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.4% growth in Wasilla over the same period.

Juneau, AK

+0.4%

$75,520 (2024) → $75,834 (2025)

Wasilla, AK

+0.4%

$70,622 (2024) → $70,916 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Juneau or Wasilla?

Juneau has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,965/year, compared to Wasilla at $72,909/year — a difference of $5,056 (6.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Juneau and Wasilla?

Juneau occupational therapy assistants earn $37.48/hr while Wasilla hygienists earn $35.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Juneau to Wasilla as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Juneau and Wasilla. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Juneau = $73,483, Wasilla = $68,717), job availability (6 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Juneau vs Wasilla?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,109 in Juneau and $56,494 in Wasilla. The Wasilla 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