Occupational Therapist Pay

McKinney vs San Antonio: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between McKinney, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

McKinney, TX
$104,782
$50.38/hr
San Antonio, TX
$110,944
$53.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMcKinney, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$104,782$110,944
Hourly Rate$50.38$53.33
Entry Level (P10)$74,711$78,006
25th Percentile$83,585$102,607
75th Percentile$123,095$133,123
Top Earner (P90)$139,835$135,648
Total Employed441,780
Side-by-side bar chart comparing McKinney ($104,782) and San Antonio ($110,944) occupational therapist salaries.McKinneySan AntonioMedian Salary$104,782$110,944Entry Level (P10)$74,711$78,006Top Earner (P90)$139,835$135,648US Median $103,400

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to McKinney.

The salary gap between McKinney and San Antonio is $6,162 (5.88%). San Antonio's median is +7.30% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in McKinney spans $65,124,San Antonio spans $57,642. McKinney has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

McKinney
P10 (Entry)$74,711
P25$83,585
Median$104,782
P75$123,095
P90 (Top)$139,835
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$78,006
P25$102,607
Median$110,944
P75$133,123
P90 (Top)$135,648

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($117,133 effective) pays 7.32% more than McKinney ($109,148 effective).

McKinney
Nominal: $104,782
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $109,148
San Antonio
Nominal: $110,944
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $117,133

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose McKinney if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($139,835)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,944/year)
  • Larger job market (1,780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,133)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in McKinney grew 8.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 50.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

McKinney, TX

+8.8%

$93,428 (2024) → $101,671 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+50.0%

$71,770 (2019) → $107,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: McKinney or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $110,944/year, compared to McKinney at $104,782/year — a difference of $6,162 (5.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between McKinney and San Antonio?

McKinney occupational therapists earn $50.38/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $53.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from McKinney to San Antonio as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing McKinney and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: McKinney = $109,148, San Antonio = $117,133), job availability (44 vs 1,780 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in McKinney vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $74,711 in McKinney and $78,006 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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