OT Assistant Salary

Los Angeles vs Woodland: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$80,284
$38.61/hr
Woodland, CA
$87,886
$42.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAWoodland, CA
Median Salary$80,284$87,886
Hourly Rate$38.61$42.25
Entry Level (P10)$66,467$62,551
25th Percentile$78,393$74,393
75th Percentile$93,619$97,174
Top Earner (P90)$106,038$109,732
Total Employed1,72015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($80,284) and Woodland ($87,886) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Los AngelesWoodlandMedian Salary$80,284$87,886Entry Level (P10)$66,467$62,551Top Earner (P90)$106,038$109,732US Median $74,332

Verdict

Woodland, CA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Woodland is $7,602 (9.47%). Woodland's median is +18.23% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $39,571,Woodland spans $47,181. Woodland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$66,467
P25$78,393
Median$80,284
P75$93,619
P90 (Top)$106,038
Woodland
P10 (Entry)$62,551
P25$74,393
Median$87,886
P75$97,174
P90 (Top)$109,732

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Woodland ($77,706 effective) pays 9.92% more than Los Angeles ($70,694 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,284
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,694
Woodland
Nominal: $87,886
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $77,706

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (1,720 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Woodland if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,886/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,732)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,706)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Los Angeles grew 10.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.7% growth in Woodland over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+10.0%

$71,000 (2019) → $78,090 (2025)

Woodland, CA

+-6.7%

$91,643 (2024) → $85,484 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Woodland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $87,886/year, compared to Los Angeles at $80,284/year — a difference of $7,602 (9.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Woodland?

Los Angeles occupational therapy assistants earn $38.61/hr while Woodland hygienists earn $42.25/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Woodland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $70,694, Woodland = $77,706), job availability (1,720 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $66,467 in Los Angeles and $62,551 in Woodland. 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