Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cleveland, OH: $64,462 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cleveland, OH earns a median $64,462/year (≈ $31.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $68,633 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $64,462 for 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Cleveland, OH, can expect competitive compensation compared to the national benchmark of $74,332. This salary range spans from $52,505 at the lower end (P10) to $80,058 for those at the top (P90), reflecting varying levels of experience and specialized skills. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, these figures highlight the potential for career growth in Cleveland, particularly for those considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge that increases lifetime earnings. As the demand for skilled therapy assistants continues to rise in Cleveland's healthcare environment, this translates to a dynamic job market conducive to professional advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,505 | $25.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,038 | $29.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,462 | $31.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,059 | $36.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,058 | $38.49 |
Median Salary Position
13.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,553 (2026 est.). At $64,462, the local median is 13.28% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $64,462/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,245 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.28% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $64,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.28% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $65,245.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,462 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,633 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,260
2025 BLS Actual
$62,700
2026 Current Est.
$64,462
2019–2027 Growth
+10.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,462 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 4.0% from $60,260 (2019) to $62,700 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,013 (9.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,505 – $61,038 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,038 – $64,462 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,462 – $76,059 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,059 – $80,058 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Cleveland
The local job market is robust, with approximately 720 occupational therapy assistants employed in Cleveland. With a cost of living index at 93.923, the purchasing power for residents is favorably positioned, allowing for a better quality of life despite the ongoing adjustments in compensation due to factors like the decrease in Medicare reimbursements. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher salaries, but positions at hospital inpatient rehab locations tend to provide the best overall benefits. Variation in pay can largely be attributed to the work setting, productivity expectations, and whether aides are employed full-time or on a part-time, PRN basis. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Cleveland, pursuing roles in higher-paying settings and exploring options for professional development can substantially enhance their earning potential in a market affected by recent changes in reimbursement policies and educational pathways.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Cleveland, OH in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Cleveland?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,700 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Cleveland metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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