OT Assistant Salary

Cleveland vs Trotwood: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$64,462
$31.00/hr
Trotwood, OH
$61,203
$29.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHTrotwood, OH
Median Salary$64,462$61,203
Hourly Rate$31.00$29.42
Entry Level (P10)$52,505$48,898
25th Percentile$61,038$55,294
75th Percentile$76,059$66,060
Top Earner (P90)$80,058$72,558
Total Employed7206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($64,462) and Trotwood ($61,203) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ClevelandTrotwoodMedian Salary$64,462$61,203Entry Level (P10)$52,505$48,898Top Earner (P90)$80,058$72,558US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Trotwood is $3,259 (5.32%). 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,Trotwood spans $23,660. 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
Trotwood
P10 (Entry)$48,898
P25$55,294
Median$61,203
P75$66,060
P90 (Top)$72,558

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($68,633 effective) pays 1.71% more than Trotwood ($67,479 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $64,462
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $68,633
Trotwood
Nominal: $61,203
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $67,479

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 Trotwood 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 Trotwood over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+4.0%

$60,260 (2019) → $62,700 (2025)

Trotwood, OH

+6.0%

$56,137 (2024) → $59,530 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $64,462/year, compared to Trotwood at $61,203/year — a difference of $3,259 (5.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Trotwood?

Cleveland occupational therapy assistants earn $31.00/hr while Trotwood hygienists earn $29.42/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Trotwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $68,633, Trotwood = $67,479), job availability (720 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

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