OT Assistant Salary

Madison vs Mobile: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Madison, AL and Mobile, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, AL
$63,704
$30.63/hr
Mobile, AL
$63,999
$30.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, ALMobile, AL
Median Salary$63,704$63,999
Hourly Rate$30.63$30.77
Entry Level (P10)$46,604$54,181
25th Percentile$54,822$60,360
75th Percentile$69,892$75,935
Top Earner (P90)$78,877$85,106
Total Employed940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($63,704) and Mobile ($63,999) occupational therapy assistant salaries.MadisonMobileMedian Salary$63,704$63,999Entry Level (P10)$46,604$54,181Top Earner (P90)$78,877$85,106US Median $74,332

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Madison.

The salary gap between Madison and Mobile is $295 (0.46%). Mobile's median is -13.90% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $32,273,Mobile spans $30,925. Madison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$46,604
P25$54,822
Median$63,704
P75$69,892
P90 (Top)$78,877
Mobile
P10 (Entry)$54,181
P25$60,360
Median$63,999
P75$75,935
P90 (Top)$85,106

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($72,645 effective) pays 0.24% more than Madison ($72,473 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $63,704
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $72,473
Mobile
Nominal: $63,999
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $72,645

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,999/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,106)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,645)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Madison grew 24.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.1% growth in Mobile over the same period.

Madison, AL

+24.7%

$49,707 (2024) → $61,963 (2025)

Mobile, AL

+18.1%

$52,688 (2024) → $62,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Madison or Mobile?

Mobile has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $63,999/year, compared to Madison at $63,704/year — a difference of $295 (0.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Mobile?

Madison occupational therapy assistants earn $30.63/hr while Mobile hygienists earn $30.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Mobile as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Mobile. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $72,473, Mobile = $72,645), job availability (9 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Madison vs Mobile?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $46,604 in Madison and $54,181 in Mobile. The Mobile 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