OT Assistant Salary

Brunswick vs Cleveland: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Brunswick, OH
$63,156
$30.36/hr
Cleveland, OH
$64,462
$31.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrunswick, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$63,156$64,462
Hourly Rate$30.36$31.00
Entry Level (P10)$48,898$52,505
25th Percentile$56,170$61,038
75th Percentile$69,223$76,059
Top Earner (P90)$77,225$80,058
Total Employed6720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brunswick ($63,156) and Cleveland ($64,462) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BrunswickClevelandMedian Salary$63,156$64,462Entry Level (P10)$48,898$52,505Top Earner (P90)$77,225$80,058US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Brunswick and Cleveland is $1,306 (2.07%). Cleveland's median is -13.28% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brunswick spans $28,327,Cleveland spans $27,553. Brunswick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$48,898
P25$56,170
Median$63,156
P75$69,223
P90 (Top)$77,225
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$52,505
P25$61,038
Median$64,462
P75$76,059
P90 (Top)$80,058

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Brunswick ($69,632 effective) pays 1.46% more than Cleveland ($68,633 effective).

Brunswick
Nominal: $63,156
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $69,632
Cleveland
Nominal: $64,462
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $68,633

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brunswick if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,632)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,462/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,058)
  • Larger job market (720 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Brunswick grew 6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Brunswick, OH

+6.0%

$57,929 (2024) → $61,430 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+4.0%

$60,260 (2019) → $62,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Brunswick or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $64,462/year, compared to Brunswick at $63,156/year — a difference of $1,306 (2.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brunswick and Cleveland?

Brunswick occupational therapy assistants earn $30.36/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $31.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brunswick to Cleveland as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brunswick and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brunswick = $69,632, Cleveland = $68,633), job availability (6 vs 720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Brunswick vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $48,898 in Brunswick and $52,505 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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