Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Strongsville, OH: $30.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Strongsville, OH runs $30.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,552 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Strongsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,133 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Strongsville, Ohio, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $30.56, which is significantly lower than the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate translates well for part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week in various settings like skilled nursing facility therapy rooms and outpatient clinics, offering a competitive wage for their expertise. Entry-level workers may find themselves starting at around $21.35 per hour, while top earners in the profession could see rates as high as $37.82 per hour. These estimates provide a clear picture of the financial landscape for those entering the field or seeking flexible per-diem opportunities, reflecting hourly compensation derived from annual salary data.
About the Strongsville 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) | $21.35 | $170.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.73 | $213.84 |
| Median (P50) | $30.56 | $244.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.70 | $269.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.82 | $302.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Strongsville
Based on $30.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.56/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Strongsville, OH can expect to earn approximately $63,555 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,666. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Strongsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Strongsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,222.21 | $5,296 | $63,555 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.32 | $3,178 | $38,133 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.88 | $2,118 | $25,422 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Strongsville) | $30.56 |
| 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 Strongsville, OH earn a median of $63,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.50% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.60% below the Ohio state average of $65,248.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.56/hr = $38,133/year (purchasing power: $42,043).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,555/year (purchasing power: $70,071).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Strongsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Strongsville grew 17.5% from $25.28/hr (2019) to $29.72/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.41/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 Strongsville 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 Strongsville
In a part-time role, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to make roughly $38,000 annually, a figure that underscores the potential for a stable income while achieving a work-life balance. For those pursuing per diem positions or agency work in Strongsville, pay can vary widely; per diem occupational therapy assistant pay typically falls within the $30-$45 per hour range, while travel contracts may offer lucrative weekly rates of $1,100-$1,700, although some of these have softened post-2022 due to reimbursement adjustments. Moreover, pay rates differ across employer types—from schools to home health agencies—often compelling professionals to weigh the benefits of hourly compensation against secure health insurance options. When negotiating rates, it can be beneficial for occupational therapy assistants in Strongsville to highlight specific skills or certifications, providing leverage for higher wages, especially considering the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare cut on overall service reimbursement.
More salary data for Strongsville, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Strongsville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Strongsville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Strongsville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Strongsville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Strongsville?
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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 Strongsville. 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 Strongsville 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