Occupational Therapist Pay

Grapevine vs Houston: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Grapevine, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grapevine, TX
$102,415
$49.24/hr
Houston, TX
$106,750
$51.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrapevine, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$102,415$106,750
Hourly Rate$49.24$51.32
Entry Level (P10)$74,444$81,201
25th Percentile$84,406$87,869
75th Percentile$121,026$128,928
Top Earner (P90)$137,158$145,026
Total Employed122,700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grapevine ($102,415) and Houston ($106,750) occupational therapist salaries.GrapevineHoustonMedian Salary$102,415$106,750Entry Level (P10)$74,444$81,201Top Earner (P90)$137,158$145,026US Median $103,400

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grapevine.

The salary gap between Grapevine and Houston is $4,335 (4.23%). Houston's median is +3.24% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grapevine spans $62,714,Houston spans $63,825. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Grapevine
P10 (Entry)$74,444
P25$84,406
Median$102,415
P75$121,026
P90 (Top)$137,158
Houston
P10 (Entry)$81,201
P25$87,869
Median$106,750
P75$128,928
P90 (Top)$145,026

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($108,234 effective) pays 1.45% more than Grapevine ($106,682 effective).

Grapevine
Nominal: $102,415
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $106,682
Houston
Nominal: $106,750
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $108,234

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grapevine if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,750/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,026)
  • Larger job market (2,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,234)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Grapevine grew 8.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.5% growth in Houston over the same period.

Grapevine, TX

+8.8%

$91,317 (2024) → $99,374 (2025)

Houston, TX

+20.5%

$85,930 (2019) → $103,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Grapevine or Houston?

Houston has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $106,750/year, compared to Grapevine at $102,415/year — a difference of $4,335 (4.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grapevine and Houston?

Grapevine occupational therapists earn $49.24/hr while Houston hygienists earn $51.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grapevine to Houston as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grapevine and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grapevine = $106,682, Houston = $108,234), job availability (12 vs 2,700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Grapevine vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $74,444 in Grapevine and $81,201 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% 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 Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov