Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Lakewood, OH: $31.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Lakewood, OH runs $31.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,934 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,954 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, Ohio, occupational therapy assistants earn a median hourly rate of $31.21, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This disparity highlights the local job market's challenges for part-time and per-diem workers, who often seek positions in skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and through home health visits. For those at the entry level, pay starts around $21.34 per hour, while top earners can expect up to $39.91 per hour. These hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary data, revealing both the potential for steady work and the limits imposed by local pay rates.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.34 | $170.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.74 | $205.95 |
| Median (P50) | $31.21 | $249.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.81 | $270.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.91 | $319.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $31.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.21/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, OH can expect to earn approximately $64,923 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,456. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,248.52 | $5,410 | $64,923 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $749.11 | $3,246 | $38,954 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.41 | $2,164 | $25,969 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Lakewood) | $31.21 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lakewood, OH earn a median of $64,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $65,260.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.21/hr = $38,954/year (purchasing power: $42,948).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,923/year (purchasing power: $71,580).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lakewood grew 17.5% from $25.83/hr (2019) to $30.36/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.09/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Lakewood
When considering part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant in Lakewood working three days a week can expect to take home approximately $48,000 annually. In contrast, full-time assistants generally enjoy higher annual earnings, but the choice to work per diem often allows for greater scheduling flexibility, albeit with trade-offs. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Lakewood ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, and while travel COTA contracts can yield between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, they are competitive and can vary significantly across employer types like skilled nursing facilities or outpatient clinics. Additionally, the decision to accept slightly lower hourly rates may be influenced by the benefits offered by some employers versus the higher pay options that lack health insurance. Carefully negotiating terms based on individual needs and desired work settings is key for COTAs striving to find the right balance in their careers.
More salary data for Lakewood, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lakewood in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Lakewood?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Lakewood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Lakewood?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Lakewood?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Lakewood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lakewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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