Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Hamilton, OH: $65,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Hamilton, OH earns a median $65,291/year (≈ $31.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Hamilton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $71,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hamilton, Ohio, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants stands at $65,291 for 2026, reflecting a significant regional context where local estimates, informed by state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicate a salary range from $45,156 at the lower end to $84,016 at the higher end. This positioning shows a notable difference of approximately 12.16% compared to the national median of $74,332. For occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) considering career advancement through the COTA-to-MOT bridge, this salary may expand over a career, promising enhanced pay for additional qualifications, which is vital in a competitive field increasingly affected by reimbursement cuts and evolving job demands within the healthcare system.
About the Hamilton Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,156 | $21.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,283 | $26.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,291 | $31.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,771 | $33.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,016 | $40.39 |
Median Salary Position
12.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hamilton
In Hamilton, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,860 (2026 est.). At $65,291, the local median is 12.16% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hamilton: You'd be above the median
How Hamilton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Hamilton median: $65,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hamilton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.16% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hamilton, OH earn a median of $65,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.16% lower than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hamilton has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hamilton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,291 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,986 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,028
2025 BLS Actual
$63,506
2026 Current Est.
$65,291
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hamilton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,028 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,284 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,435 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,859 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,506 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hamilton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,028 (2019) to $63,506 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,097 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hamilton 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) | $45,156 – $54,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,283 – $65,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,291 – $69,771 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,771 – $84,016 |
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 Hamilton
Looking at the local job market, Hamilton employs 11 occupational therapy assistants, providing a unique opportunity for professionals navigating a slower but steady growth rate of 2.81% annually. The cost-of-living index here is 90.7, suggesting that the take-home purchasing power is relatively robust compared to the national average. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer higher pay among local employers, but factors such as productivity expectations and weekend or PRN premiums can lead to a wide spread in salaries. The recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services has created downward pressure on pay in certain settings, making it essential for practitioners to seek innovative strategies, including specializing in areas with higher demand or negotiating contracts that span the school year versus year-round, to maximize their earnings in Hamilton, OH.
More salary data for Hamilton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Hamilton, OH in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Hamilton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Hamilton?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Hamilton?
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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 $63,506 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Hamilton 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
Salary data for Hamilton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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