OT Assistant Salary

Mobile vs Montgomery: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Mobile, AL
$63,999
$30.77/hr
Montgomery, AL
$67,322
$32.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALMontgomery, AL
Median Salary$63,999$67,322
Hourly Rate$30.77$32.36
Entry Level (P10)$54,181$43,368
25th Percentile$60,360$57,764
75th Percentile$75,935$74,341
Top Earner (P90)$85,106$85,228
Total Employed4032
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($63,999) and Montgomery ($67,322) occupational therapy assistant salaries.MobileMontgomeryMedian Salary$63,999$67,322Entry Level (P10)$54,181$43,368Top Earner (P90)$85,106$85,228US Median $74,332

Verdict

Montgomery, AL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mobile.

The salary gap between Mobile and Montgomery is $3,323 (5.19%). Montgomery's median is -9.43% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mobile spans $30,925,Montgomery spans $41,860. Montgomery has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Mobile
P10 (Entry)$54,181
P25$60,360
Median$63,999
P75$75,935
P90 (Top)$85,106
Montgomery
P10 (Entry)$43,368
P25$57,764
Median$67,322
P75$74,341
P90 (Top)$85,228

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Montgomery ($76,589 effective) pays 5.43% more than Mobile ($72,645 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $63,999
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $72,645
Montgomery
Nominal: $67,322
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $76,589

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Montgomery if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,322/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,228)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,589)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Mobile, AL

+18.1%

$52,688 (2024) → $62,250 (2025)

Montgomery, AL

+24.7%

$52,530 (2024) → $65,482 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Montgomery has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $67,322/year, compared to Mobile at $63,999/year — a difference of $3,323 (5.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Montgomery?

Mobile occupational therapy assistants earn $30.77/hr while Montgomery hygienists earn $32.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Montgomery. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $72,645, Montgomery = $76,589), job availability (40 vs 32 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $54,181 in Mobile and $43,368 in Montgomery. 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