Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cleveland, TN: $64,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cleveland, TN earns a median $64,276/year (≈ $30.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $70,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salaries in Cleveland, TN, are projected to reach a median of $64,276 in 2026, marking a notable difference compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $48,815 at the 10th percentile to $79,791 at the 90th percentile, highlighting diverse earning potential based on various factors. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for regional price variations, reflect Cleveland's unique market conditions. Those engaged in the local healthcare system face productivity expectations that directly influence their compensation, adding a competitive edge especially in environments where visits per day are critical for driving earnings.
About the Cleveland Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,815 | $23.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,464 | $27.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,276 | $30.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,179 | $34.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,791 | $38.36 |
Median Salary Position
13.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,976 (2026 est.). At $64,276, the local median is 13.53% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $64,276/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,789 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.53% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cleveland, TN earn a median of $64,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.53% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the Tennessee state average of $65,789.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,276 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,189
2025 BLS Actual
$62,519
2026 Current Est.
$64,276
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
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 | $53,189 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,425 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,379 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,945 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,519 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,189 (2019) to $62,519 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,893 (24.24%) 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) | $48,815 – $56,464 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,464 – $64,276 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,276 – $71,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,179 – $79,791 |
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 job market in Cleveland currently employs a modest number of 10 occupational therapy assistants, yet this niche community offers competitive compensation within a cost-of-living index of 91.8, which is below the national average. For those considering career opportunities, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to be the most lucrative in this region. Factors contributing to the notable pay disparity include work settings— with hospitals generally offering higher salaries than schools or skilled nursing facilities— and expectations around productivity. The recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services has also played a role in compressing earnings in some settings. To maximize earning potential, occupational therapy assistants in Cleveland should consider negotiating pay rates, pursuing weekend or PRN positions that often carry a premium, and possibly exploring opportunities through school districts or home health agencies, given their varying contract structures and patient needs.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $62,519 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
Salary data for Cleveland 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