OT Assistant Salary

Sacramento vs Woodland: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Sacramento, CA
$97,855
$47.05/hr
Woodland, CA
$87,886
$42.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAWoodland, CA
Median Salary$97,855$87,886
Hourly Rate$47.05$42.25
Entry Level (P10)$79,328$62,551
25th Percentile$87,327$74,393
75th Percentile$103,478$97,174
Top Earner (P90)$110,757$109,732
Total Employed17015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($97,855) and Woodland ($87,886) occupational therapy assistant salaries.SacramentoWoodlandMedian Salary$97,855$87,886Entry Level (P10)$79,328$62,551Top Earner (P90)$110,757$109,732US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Sacramento and Woodland is $9,969 (11.34%). Sacramento's median is +31.65% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $31,429,Woodland spans $47,181. Woodland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$79,328
P25$87,327
Median$97,855
P75$103,478
P90 (Top)$110,757
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, Sacramento ($91,736 effective) pays 18.05% more than Woodland ($77,706 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $97,855
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $91,736
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 Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,855/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,757)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,736)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Woodland if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Sacramento grew 5.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.7% growth in Woodland over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+5.9%

$89,910 (2019) → $95,180 (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: Sacramento or Woodland?

Sacramento has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $97,855/year, compared to Woodland at $87,886/year — a difference of $9,969 (11.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Woodland?

Sacramento occupational therapy assistants earn $47.05/hr while Woodland hygienists earn $42.25/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Woodland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $91,736, Woodland = $77,706), job availability (170 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $79,328 in Sacramento and $62,551 in Woodland. The Sacramento 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