OT Assistant Salary

Cincinnati vs Canton: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$69,356
$33.34/hr
Canton, OH
$66,055
$31.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHCanton, OH
Median Salary$69,356$66,055
Hourly Rate$33.34$31.76
Entry Level (P10)$60,319$57,779
25th Percentile$62,807$61,203
75th Percentile$77,313$67,937
Top Earner (P90)$83,070$78,094
Total Employed480210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($69,356) and Canton ($66,055) occupational therapy assistant salaries.CincinnatiCantonMedian Salary$69,356$66,055Entry Level (P10)$60,319$57,779Top Earner (P90)$83,070$78,094US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Canton is $3,301 (5.00%). 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,Canton spans $20,315. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$60,319
P25$62,807
Median$69,356
P75$77,313
P90 (Top)$83,070
Canton
P10 (Entry)$57,779
P25$61,203
Median$66,055
P75$67,937
P90 (Top)$78,094

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Canton ($73,882 effective) pays 1.59% more than Cincinnati ($72,723 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $69,356
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $72,723
Canton
Nominal: $66,055
CoL Index: 89.406
Adjusted: $73,882

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)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Canton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,882)
  • 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 9.6% growth in Canton over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+9.3%

$61,720 (2019) → $67,460 (2025)

Canton, OH

+9.6%

$58,640 (2019) → $64,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cincinnati has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,356/year, compared to Canton at $66,055/year — a difference of $3,301 (5.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Canton?

Cincinnati occupational therapy assistants earn $33.34/hr while Canton hygienists earn $31.76/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Canton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $72,723, Canton = $73,882), job availability (480 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $60,319 in Cincinnati and $57,779 in Canton. 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