Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Toledo, OH: $31.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Toledo, OH runs $31.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,500 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Toledo's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,300 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Toledo, Ohio, occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $31.49, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.74. This rate plays a significant role for part-time workers, often accepted in settings like skilled nursing facilities or outpatient clinics, where a 3-day workweek can yield a steady income despite fewer hours. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants in Toledo, the pay dynamics vary widely—typically ranging from approximately $26.43 to $38.65 per hour. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections suggest that those at the lower end of this range may find entry-level opportunities, while more experienced professionals or those in specialized roles can command higher hourly wages, demonstrating the varied earning potential within this field.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.43 | $211.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.55 | $236.38 |
| Median (P50) | $31.49 | $251.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.18 | $289.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.65 | $309.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Toledo
Based on $31.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.49/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Toledo, OH can expect to earn approximately $65,501 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,789. With a cost-of-living index of 91.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Toledo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Toledo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,259.63 | $5,458 | $65,501 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.78 | $3,275 | $39,300 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.85 | $2,183 | $26,200 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Toledo) | $31.49 |
| 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 Toledo, OH earn a median of $65,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.88% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% above the Ohio state average of $65,239.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.49/hr = $39,300/year (purchasing power: $42,972).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,501/year (purchasing power: $71,621).
CoL index: 91.455 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Toledo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Toledo grew 8.4% from $28.26/hr (2019) to $30.63/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.38/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 Toledo 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 Toledo
Evaluating the financial landscape for part-time occupational therapy assistants reveals that a typical schedule of 24 hours per week can translate to a substantial annual take-home income, especially when compared to full-time positions. Many COTAs find themselves working as per-diem contractors, where billing rates can range from $30 to $45 per hour, but travel contracts can offer even higher earnings between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. However, compensation strategies may differ across employers—positions in skilled nursing facilities may reflect different hourly pay scales compared to hospital rehab units and school districts. Some occupational therapy assistants choose to accept lower hourly wages for the benefits provided, such as health insurance, versus seeking higher pay without benefits. To enhance earning potential, aspiring COTAs in Toledo should remain open to negotiating salary and seeking diverse opportunities across various healthcare settings, given the inherent flexibility of the profession and its evolving reimbursement landscape following the Medicare cuts introduced in 2022.
More salary data for Toledo, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Toledo in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Toledo?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Toledo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Toledo?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Toledo?
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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 Toledo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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