Nominal salary tells you how much money you receive. Cost-of-living-adjusted salary tells you how much that money can actually buy. A $200,000 salary in San Francisco and a $140,000 salary in Austin can provide nearly identical purchasing power. Tax differences are not included.
Where Should I Live?
Nominal vs COL-Adjusted Salary
| # | Location | Median (Nominal) | COL Index | Adjusted | COL Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $90,480 | 138.5 | $65,329 | #6 (-5) |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $87,360 | 138.5 | $63,076 | #7 (-5) |
| 3 | Placentia, CA | $87,360 | 138.5 | $63,076 | #8 (-5) |
| 4 | Bakersfield, CA | $86,206 | 138.5 | $62,242 | #9 (-5) |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $85,280 | 138.5 | $61,574 | #11 (-6) |
| 6 | Vacaville, CA | $85,176 | 138.5 | $61,499 | #12 (-6) |
| 7 | Stockton, CA | $84,864 | 138.5 | $61,274 | #13 (-6) |
| 8 | FRESNO, CA | $83,200 | 138.5 | $60,072 | #15 (-7) |
| 9 | Fremont, CA | $82,160 | 138.5 | $59,321 | #17 (-8) |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | $81,120 | 138.5 | $58,570 | #18 (-8) |
| 11 | Bronx, NY | $74,880 | 125.1 | $59,856 | #16 (-5) |
| 12 | Houston, TX | $73,840 | 92.7 | $79,655 | #1 (+11) |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $72,800 | 92.3 | $78,873 | #2 (+11) |
| 14 | DALLAS, TX | $72,800 | 92.7 | $78,533 | #3 (+11) |
| 15 | Philadelphia, PA | $72,800 | 95.6 | $76,151 | #4 (+11) |
| 16 | Hyattsville, MD | $72,134 | 116.5 | $61,918 | #10 (+6) |
| 17 | Silver Spring, MD | $70,470 | 116.5 | $60,489 | #14 (+3) |
| 18 | New York, NE | $68,640 | 90.8 | $75,595 | #5 (+13) |
| 19 | Windsor Mill, MD | $66,685 | 116.5 | $57,240 | #19 |
| 20 | Brooklyn, NY | $65,520 | 125.1 | $52,374 | #21 (-1) |
| 21 | New York, NY | $65,520 | 125.1 | $52,374 | #22 (-1) |
| 22 | Diamond Bar, CA | $65,208 | 138.5 | $47,082 | #24 (-2) |
| 23 | Long Island City, NY | $65,000 | 125.1 | $51,958 | #23 |
| 24 | Lakeland, FL | $54,267 | 102.8 | $52,789 | #20 (+4) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Occupational Therapists is in Oakland, CA at $90,480, but after cost-of-living adjustment Houston, TX offers the best purchasing power at $79,655 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: New York, NE ranks #18 by nominal pay but climbs to #5 once cost of living is factored in (up 13 spots), making its $68,640 go a lot further.
- Beware: Fremont, CA looks strong at #9 on nominal pay ($82,160) but its high cost of living drops it 8 spots to #17 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Occupational Therapists wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.