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Best Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants

A BLS-backed ranking of metro labor markets for occupational therapy assistants, balancing wage strength, job depth, employment density, and assistant-role concentration.

OTA citiesBLS OEWSMay 2025Metro labor markets
PublishedUpdated June 25, 2026BLS OEWS May 2025 metro time-series data for occupational therapy assistants, occupation code 31-2011.

Ranking report card

What this ranking covers

Coverage25 rankedPublished ranked cards with search, sorting, and shortlist comparison.
Profile depthRanking onlyRanked cards are comparable on this page; deeper profile pages are not available for this list yet.
FreshnessJune 25, 2026BLS OEWS May 2025 metro time-series data for occupational therapy assistants, occupation code 31-2011.
Methodology4 factorsWeights sum to 100%, so readers can audit how the rank is built.
Score readComposite scorePrimary-source ranking. Scores compare options inside this ranking, not across every OT decision.

Ranked results

Top metro markets for occupational therapy assistants

Each card separates source data, scoring, fit guidance, and caveats so readers can scan quickly without losing the methodology behind the rank.

25 ranked options
#162.5Score

Rank #1

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$86,300 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,190 OTA jobs; 2.79 LQ; 0.92 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#256.8Score

Rank #2

Homosassa Springs, FL

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$68,890 mean wage
Employment and concentration90 OTA jobs; 7.74 LQ; 2.55 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Small BLS employment base (90 jobs) can swing sharply year to year. Confirm local openings before relocating.

#353.3Score

Rank #3

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$99,250 mean wage
Employment and concentration290 OTA jobs; 0.36 LQ; 0.12 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#451.7Score

Rank #4

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$81,740 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,720 OTA jobs; 0.83 LQ; 0.28 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#548.7Score

Rank #5

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$80,140 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,220 OTA jobs; 0.91 LQ; 0.30 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#648.0Score

Rank #6

Jonesboro, AR

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$75,980 mean wage
Employment and concentration90 OTA jobs; 4.67 LQ; 1.54 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Small BLS employment base (90 jobs) can swing sharply year to year. Confirm local openings before relocating.

#746.7Score

Rank #7

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$74,600 mean wage
Employment and concentration2,200 OTA jobs; 0.70 LQ; 0.23 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#846.6Score

Rank #8

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$94,960 mean wage
Employment and concentration160 OTA jobs; 0.42 LQ; 0.14 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#946.2Score

Rank #9

Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$79,660 mean wage
Employment and concentration900 OTA jobs; 0.83 LQ; 0.27 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1045.4Score

Rank #10

Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$92,750 mean wage
Employment and concentration170 OTA jobs; 0.48 LQ; 0.16 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1144.8Score

Rank #11

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$85,120 mean wage
Employment and concentration360 OTA jobs; 0.72 LQ; 0.24 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1244.8Score

Rank #12

Victoria, TX

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$76,240 mean wage
Employment and concentration60 OTA jobs; 4.45 LQ; 1.47 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Small BLS employment base (60 jobs) can swing sharply year to year. Confirm local openings before relocating.

#1344.4Score

Rank #13

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$85,400 mean wage
Employment and concentration420 OTA jobs; 0.41 LQ; 0.13 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1443.5Score

Rank #14

San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$79,960 mean wage
Employment and concentration420 OTA jobs; 1.14 LQ; 0.38 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1542.3Score

Rank #15

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$81,440 mean wage
Employment and concentration400 OTA jobs; 0.70 LQ; 0.23 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1642.1Score

Rank #16

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$68,150 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,710 OTA jobs; 1.15 LQ; 0.38 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1742.0Score

Rank #17

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$74,260 mean wage
Employment and concentration800 OTA jobs; 1.02 LQ; 0.34 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1841.7Score

Rank #18

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$75,110 mean wage
Employment and concentration260 OTA jobs; 2.18 LQ; 0.72 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#1941.5Score

Rank #19

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$70,560 mean wage
Employment and concentration1,090 OTA jobs; 1.17 LQ; 0.39 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#2041.1Score

Rank #20

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$72,210 mean wage
Employment and concentration940 OTA jobs; 0.99 LQ; 0.33 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#2139.8Score

Rank #21

Canton-Massillon, OH

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$64,230 mean wage
Employment and concentration210 OTA jobs; 3.91 LQ; 1.29 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#2239.7Score

Rank #22

Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$67,140 mean wage
Employment and concentration700 OTA jobs; 1.91 LQ; 0.63 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#2339.6Score

Rank #23

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$80,070 mean wage
Employment and concentration310 OTA jobs; 0.68 LQ; 0.23 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#2439.3Score

Rank #24

Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$79,250 mean wage
Employment and concentration340 OTA jobs; 0.65 LQ; 0.21 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro averages are not cost-adjusted and do not show setting mix, supervision quality, productivity expectations, or commute burden.

#2539.2Score

Rank #25

St. Louis, MO-IL

BLS mean annual wageEmployment and concentrationSource-backed
BLS mean annual wage$66,720 mean wage
Employment and concentration780 OTA jobs; 1.75 LQ; 0.58 per 1k

OTAs comparing metro-level wage strength, job depth, employment density, and role concentration before relocating or applying.

Metro 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 before applying or negotiating.

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.
  • Confirm active openings, supervision model, setting mix, commute, and benefits before moving.

Ask before choosing

  • 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?

Methodology

How this ranking is weighted

Each ranking has its own weighting model. The table below shows the factors readers should consider before treating any rank as a final answer.

Mean annual wage40%

BLS OEWS mean annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in each metro area.

Employment depth25%

Log-scaled BLS employment count, used to reward deeper metro markets without letting the largest metros dominate.

Employment density20%

BLS OTA employment per 1,000 jobs, a signal for assistant-role density in the local economy.

Job concentration15%

BLS location quotient, used as a concentration signal relative to the national labor market.

FAQ

Common questions about this ranking

These answers explain how to read the ranking, what the data can show, and where readers should verify fit before deciding.

How should I use Best Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants?

Use this ranking when comparing metro OTA job markets, relocation targets, or local assistant-role depth before applying or negotiating.

What sources does this ranking use?

BLS OEWS May 2025 metro time-series data for occupational therapy assistants, occupation code 31-2011. The page links to the primary source material used for the ranking.

What can this ranking miss?

Metro estimates can move more sharply in markets with small OTA employment counts. This ranking does not adjust for rent, commute, taxes, benefits, supervision model, productivity expectations, or setting mix.

What should I read next?

Use this ranking with Best states for OTAs, OTA salary by setting, Best OTA programs overall.

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Best Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants | The OT Index