OT Assistant Salary

La Habra vs Los Angeles: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between La Habra, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Habra, CA
$83,791
$40.28/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$80,284
$38.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Habra, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$83,791$80,284
Hourly Rate$40.28$38.61
Entry Level (P10)$59,947$66,467
25th Percentile$71,160$78,393
75th Percentile$92,848$93,619
Top Earner (P90)$104,955$106,038
Total Employed161,720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Habra ($83,791) and Los Angeles ($80,284) occupational therapy assistant salaries.La HabraLos AngelesMedian Salary$83,791$80,284Entry Level (P10)$59,947$66,467Top Earner (P90)$104,955$106,038US Median $74,332

Verdict

La Habra and Los Angeles are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between La Habra and Los Angeles is $3,507 (4.37%). La Habra's median is +12.73% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Habra spans $45,008,Los Angeles spans $39,571. La Habra has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

La Habra
P10 (Entry)$59,947
P25$71,160
Median$83,791
P75$92,848
P90 (Top)$104,955
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$66,467
P25$78,393
Median$80,284
P75$93,619
P90 (Top)$106,038

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, La Habra ($74,086 effective) pays 4.80% more than Los Angeles ($70,694 effective).

La Habra
Nominal: $83,791
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $74,086
Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,284
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,694

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Habra if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,791/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,086)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,038)
  • Larger job market (1,720 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in La Habra grew -6.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

La Habra, CA

+-6.7%

$87,372 (2024) → $81,501 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+10.0%

$71,000 (2019) → $78,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: La Habra or Los Angeles?

La Habra has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $83,791/year, compared to Los Angeles at $80,284/year — a difference of $3,507 (4.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Habra and Los Angeles?

La Habra occupational therapy assistants earn $40.28/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $38.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Habra to Los Angeles as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Habra and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Habra = $74,086, Los Angeles = $70,694), job availability (16 vs 1,720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in La Habra vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $59,947 in La Habra and $66,467 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles 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