OT Assistant Salary

North Las Vegas vs Reno: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between North Las Vegas, NV and Reno, NV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Las Vegas, NV
$81,411
$39.14/hr
Reno, NV
$80,295
$38.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Las Vegas, NVReno, NV
Median Salary$81,411$80,295
Hourly Rate$39.14$38.61
Entry Level (P10)$58,001$42,985
25th Percentile$69,417$64,976
75th Percentile$92,654$83,955
Top Earner (P90)$107,442$84,304
Total Employed3840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Las Vegas ($81,411) and Reno ($80,295) occupational therapy assistant salaries.North Las VegasRenoMedian Salary$81,411$80,295Entry Level (P10)$58,001$42,985Top Earner (P90)$107,442$84,304US Median $74,332

Verdict

North Las Vegas, NV offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Reno.

The salary gap between North Las Vegas and Reno is $1,116 (1.39%). North Las Vegas's median is +9.52% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Las Vegas spans $49,441,Reno spans $41,319. North Las Vegas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Las Vegas
P10 (Entry)$58,001
P25$69,417
Median$81,411
P75$92,654
P90 (Top)$107,442
Reno
P10 (Entry)$42,985
P25$64,976
Median$80,295
P75$83,955
P90 (Top)$84,304

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Las Vegas ($82,819 effective) pays 4.19% more than Reno ($79,489 effective).

North Las Vegas
Nominal: $81,411
CoL Index: 98.3
Adjusted: $82,819
Reno
Nominal: $80,295
CoL Index: 101.014
Adjusted: $79,489

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Las Vegas if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,411/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,442)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,819)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Choose Reno if…

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

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in North Las Vegas grew -1.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.1% growth in Reno over the same period.

North Las Vegas, NV

+-1.8%

$80,659 (2024) → $79,186 (2025)

Reno, NV

+-6.1%

$83,180 (2019) → $78,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: North Las Vegas or Reno?

North Las Vegas has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $81,411/year, compared to Reno at $80,295/year — a difference of $1,116 (1.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Las Vegas and Reno?

North Las Vegas occupational therapy assistants earn $39.14/hr while Reno hygienists earn $38.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Las Vegas to Reno as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Las Vegas and Reno. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Las Vegas = $82,819, Reno = $79,489), job availability (38 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in North Las Vegas vs Reno?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $58,001 in North Las Vegas and $42,985 in Reno. The North Las Vegas 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