OT Assistant Salary

Cincinnati vs Westlake: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Westlake, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$69,356
$33.34/hr
Westlake, OH
$64,712
$31.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHWestlake, OH
Median Salary$69,356$64,712
Hourly Rate$33.34$31.11
Entry Level (P10)$60,319$47,456
25th Percentile$62,807$55,548
75th Percentile$77,313$68,958
Top Earner (P90)$83,070$76,134
Total Employed4805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($69,356) and Westlake ($64,712) occupational therapy assistant salaries.CincinnatiWestlakeMedian Salary$69,356$64,712Entry Level (P10)$60,319$47,456Top Earner (P90)$83,070$76,134US Median $74,332

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Westlake.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Westlake is $4,644 (7.18%). Cincinnati's median is -6.69% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $22,751,Westlake spans $28,678. Westlake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$60,319
P25$62,807
Median$69,356
P75$77,313
P90 (Top)$83,070
Westlake
P10 (Entry)$47,456
P25$55,548
Median$64,712
P75$68,958
P90 (Top)$76,134

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($72,723 effective) pays 1.93% more than Westlake ($71,347 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $69,356
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $72,723
Westlake
Nominal: $64,712
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $71,347

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,356/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,070)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,723)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Westlake if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Cincinnati grew 9.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.0% growth in Westlake over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+9.3%

$61,720 (2019) → $67,460 (2025)

Westlake, OH

+6.0%

$59,355 (2024) → $62,943 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Cincinnati or Westlake?

Cincinnati has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,356/year, compared to Westlake at $64,712/year — a difference of $4,644 (7.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Westlake?

Cincinnati occupational therapy assistants earn $33.34/hr while Westlake hygienists earn $31.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Westlake as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Westlake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $72,723, Westlake = $71,347), job availability (480 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Cincinnati vs Westlake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $60,319 in Cincinnati and $47,456 in Westlake. The Cincinnati area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% 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 Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov