OT Assistant Salary

Cleveland vs Solon: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$64,462
$31.00/hr
Solon, OH
$59,981
$28.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHSolon, OH
Median Salary$64,462$59,981
Hourly Rate$31.00$28.84
Entry Level (P10)$52,505$45,954
25th Percentile$61,038$52,713
75th Percentile$76,059$64,669
Top Earner (P90)$80,058$70,920
Total Employed7206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($64,462) and Solon ($59,981) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ClevelandSolonMedian Salary$64,462$59,981Entry Level (P10)$52,505$45,954Top Earner (P90)$80,058$70,920US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Solon is $4,481 (7.47%). 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,Solon spans $24,966. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$52,505
P25$61,038
Median$64,462
P75$76,059
P90 (Top)$80,058
Solon
P10 (Entry)$45,954
P25$52,713
Median$59,981
P75$64,669
P90 (Top)$70,920

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($68,633 effective) pays 3.78% more than Solon ($66,131 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $64,462
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $68,633
Solon
Nominal: $59,981
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $66,131

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,633)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Solon if…

  • 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 Solon over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+4.0%

$60,260 (2019) → $62,700 (2025)

Solon, OH

+6.0%

$55,017 (2024) → $58,342 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $64,462/year, compared to Solon at $59,981/year — a difference of $4,481 (7.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Solon?

Cleveland occupational therapy assistants earn $31.00/hr while Solon hygienists earn $28.84/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Solon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $68,633, Solon = $66,131), job availability (720 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $52,505 in Cleveland and $45,954 in Solon. 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