Ranked results
Top metro markets for occupational therapy assistants
Start with the rank, key stats, decision context, and the reason each option lands where it does.
Rank #1
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
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Why we ranked it here At #1, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX has $86,300 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,190 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 2.79, and 0.92 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #2
Homosassa Springs, FL
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Why we ranked it here At #2, Homosassa Springs, FL has $68,890 mean wage. BLS also estimates 90 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 7.74, and 2.55 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (90 jobs) can swing sharply year to year. Local openings and employer quality can change the practical value of the rank.
Rank #3
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
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Why we ranked it here At #3, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has $99,250 mean wage. BLS also estimates 290 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.36, and 0.12 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #4
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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Why we ranked it here At #4, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA has $81,740 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,720 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.83, and 0.28 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #5
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
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Why we ranked it here At #5, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX has $80,140 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,220 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.91, and 0.30 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #6
Jonesboro, AR
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Why we ranked it here At #6, Jonesboro, AR has $75,980 mean wage. BLS also estimates 90 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 4.67, and 1.54 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (90 jobs) can swing sharply year to year. Local openings and employer quality can change the practical value of the rank.
Rank #7
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
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Why we ranked it here At #7, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has $74,600 mean wage. BLS also estimates 2,200 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.70, and 0.23 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #8
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
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Why we ranked it here At #8, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has $94,960 mean wage. BLS also estimates 160 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.42, and 0.14 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #9
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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Why we ranked it here At #9, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX has $79,660 mean wage. BLS also estimates 900 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.83, and 0.27 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #10
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
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Why we ranked it here At #10, Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA has $92,750 mean wage. BLS also estimates 170 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.48, and 0.16 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #11
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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Why we ranked it here At #11, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA has $85,120 mean wage. BLS also estimates 360 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.72, and 0.24 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #12
Victoria, TX
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Why we ranked it here At #12, Victoria, TX has $76,240 mean wage. BLS also estimates 60 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 4.45, and 1.47 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (60 jobs) can swing sharply year to year. Local openings and employer quality can change the practical value of the rank.
Rank #13
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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Why we ranked it here At #13, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has $85,400 mean wage. BLS also estimates 420 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.41, and 0.13 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #14
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
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Why we ranked it here At #14, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX has $79,960 mean wage. BLS also estimates 420 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.14, and 0.38 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #15
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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Why we ranked it here At #15, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA has $81,440 mean wage. BLS also estimates 400 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.70, and 0.23 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #16
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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Why we ranked it here At #16, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has $68,150 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,710 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.15, and 0.38 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #17
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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Why we ranked it here At #17, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ has $74,260 mean wage. BLS also estimates 800 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.02, and 0.34 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #18
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
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Why we ranked it here At #18, Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR has $75,110 mean wage. BLS also estimates 260 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 2.18, and 0.72 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #19
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
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Why we ranked it here At #19, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL has $70,560 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,090 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.17, and 0.39 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #20
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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Why we ranked it here At #20, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has $72,210 mean wage. BLS also estimates 940 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.99, and 0.33 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #21
Canton-Massillon, OH
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Why we ranked it here At #21, Canton-Massillon, OH has $64,230 mean wage. BLS also estimates 210 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 3.91, and 1.29 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #22
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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Why we ranked it here At #22, Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN has $67,140 mean wage. BLS also estimates 700 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.91, and 0.63 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #23
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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Why we ranked it here At #23, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD has $80,070 mean wage. BLS also estimates 310 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.68, and 0.23 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #24
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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Why we ranked it here At #24, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO has $79,250 mean wage. BLS also estimates 340 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 0.65, and 0.21 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Rank #25
St. Louis, MO-IL
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Why we ranked it here At #25, St. Louis, MO-IL has $66,720 mean wage. BLS also estimates 780 OTA jobs and a location quotient of 1.75, and 0.58 OTA jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OTA employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.
Keep in mindMetro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.
Decision guide
How to use this ranking
Use this ranking when comparing metro OTA job markets, relocation targets, or local assistant-role depth for application and negotiation planning.
Use it this way
- Compare wage strength with employment depth, density, and location quotient.
- Treat high-ranking small metros carefully when the BLS employment base is thin.
- Active openings, supervision model, setting mix, commute, and benefits are local context variables.
Decision factors
- Are there multiple OTA employers in the metro or only a few sources of roles?
- Does the metro use assistants heavily in my preferred setting?
- Will rent, commute, and productivity expectations change the value of the wage?