OT Assistant Salary

Cincinnati vs Middletown: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$69,356
$33.34/hr
Middletown, OH
$64,686
$31.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHMiddletown, OH
Median Salary$69,356$64,686
Hourly Rate$33.34$31.10
Entry Level (P10)$60,319$47,394
25th Percentile$62,807$55,494
75th Percentile$77,313$70,294
Top Earner (P90)$83,070$78,342
Total Employed4809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($69,356) and Middletown ($64,686) occupational therapy assistant salaries.CincinnatiMiddletownMedian Salary$69,356$64,686Entry Level (P10)$60,319$47,394Top Earner (P90)$83,070$78,342US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Middletown is $4,670 (7.22%). 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,Middletown spans $30,948. Middletown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$60,319
P25$62,807
Median$69,356
P75$77,313
P90 (Top)$83,070
Middletown
P10 (Entry)$47,394
P25$55,494
Median$64,686
P75$70,294
P90 (Top)$78,342

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($72,723 effective) pays 1.97% more than Middletown ($71,319 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $69,356
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $72,723
Middletown
Nominal: $64,686
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $71,319

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,723)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Middletown if…

  • 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 6.0% growth in Middletown over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+9.3%

$61,720 (2019) → $67,460 (2025)

Middletown, OH

+6.0%

$59,332 (2024) → $62,918 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cincinnati has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $69,356/year, compared to Middletown at $64,686/year — a difference of $4,670 (7.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Middletown?

Cincinnati occupational therapy assistants earn $33.34/hr while Middletown hygienists earn $31.10/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Middletown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $72,723, Middletown = $71,319), job availability (480 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $60,319 in Cincinnati and $47,394 in Middletown. 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