OT Assistant Salary

Cleveland vs North Royalton: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$64,462
$31.00/hr
North Royalton, OH
$64,103
$30.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHNorth Royalton, OH
Median Salary$64,462$64,103
Hourly Rate$31.00$30.82
Entry Level (P10)$52,505$45,724
25th Percentile$61,038$56,756
75th Percentile$76,059$67,582
Top Earner (P90)$80,058$74,224
Total Employed7207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($64,462) and North Royalton ($64,103) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ClevelandNorth RoyaltonMedian Salary$64,462$64,103Entry Level (P10)$52,505$45,724Top Earner (P90)$80,058$74,224US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and North Royalton is $359 (0.56%). 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 Cleveland spans $27,553,North Royalton spans $28,500. North Royalton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$52,505
P25$61,038
Median$64,462
P75$76,059
P90 (Top)$80,058
North Royalton
P10 (Entry)$45,724
P25$56,756
Median$64,103
P75$67,582
P90 (Top)$74,224

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Royalton ($70,676 effective) pays 2.98% more than Cleveland ($68,633 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $64,462
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $68,633
North Royalton
Nominal: $64,103
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $70,676

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose North Royalton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,676)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Cleveland grew 4.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.0% growth in North Royalton over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+4.0%

$60,260 (2019) → $62,700 (2025)

North Royalton, OH

+6.0%

$58,798 (2024) → $62,351 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Cleveland or North Royalton?

Cleveland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $64,462/year, compared to North Royalton at $64,103/year — a difference of $359 (0.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and North Royalton?

Cleveland occupational therapy assistants earn $31.00/hr while North Royalton hygienists earn $30.82/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and North Royalton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $68,633, North Royalton = $70,676), job availability (720 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $52,505 in Cleveland and $45,724 in North Royalton. 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