Occupational Therapist Pay

Houston vs Pflugerville: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$106,750
$51.32/hr
Pflugerville, TX
$104,362
$50.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXPflugerville, TX
Median Salary$106,750$104,362
Hourly Rate$51.32$50.17
Entry Level (P10)$81,201$70,623
25th Percentile$87,869$88,345
75th Percentile$128,928$123,377
Top Earner (P90)$145,026$139,848
Total Employed2,70016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($106,750) and Pflugerville ($104,362) occupational therapist salaries.HoustonPflugervilleMedian Salary$106,750$104,362Entry Level (P10)$81,201$70,623Top Earner (P90)$145,026$139,848US Median $103,400

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Pflugerville is $2,388 (2.29%). 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 Houston spans $63,825,Pflugerville spans $69,225. Pflugerville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$81,201
P25$87,869
Median$106,750
P75$128,928
P90 (Top)$145,026
Pflugerville
P10 (Entry)$70,623
P25$88,345
Median$104,362
P75$123,377
P90 (Top)$139,848

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pflugerville ($108,710 effective) pays 0.44% more than Houston ($108,234 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $106,750
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $108,234
Pflugerville
Nominal: $104,362
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $108,710

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

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

Choose Pflugerville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,710)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Houston grew 20.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.8% growth in Pflugerville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+20.5%

$85,930 (2019) → $103,580 (2025)

Pflugerville, TX

+8.8%

$93,054 (2024) → $101,263 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Houston or Pflugerville?

Houston has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $106,750/year, compared to Pflugerville at $104,362/year — a difference of $2,388 (2.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Pflugerville?

Houston occupational therapists earn $51.32/hr while Pflugerville hygienists earn $50.17/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Pflugerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $108,234, Pflugerville = $108,710), job availability (2,700 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $81,201 in Houston and $70,623 in Pflugerville. 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