Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Cleveland, TN: $30.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Cleveland, TN runs $30.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,276 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,569 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleveland, Tennessee, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $30.90 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate may define the financial scenarios for those pursuing part-time work, such as a typical schedule of three days per week, where a COTA could expect to earn around $1,485 weekly. Additionally, those working in various environments—such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, or providing home health services—witness a range in hourly pay from $23.47 for entry-level positions to up to $38.36 for top earners. The hourly rates here are derived from annual salary data, offering a glimpse into the income landscape of occupational therapy assistants in Cleveland.
About the Cleveland Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.47 | $187.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.14 | $217.13 |
| Median (P50) | $30.90 | $247.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.23 | $273.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.36 | $306.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $30.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.90/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, TN can expect to earn approximately $64,282 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,086. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,236.19 | $5,357 | $64,282 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $741.71 | $3,214 | $38,569 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $494.47 | $2,143 | $25,713 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Cleveland) | $30.90 |
| 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 Cleveland, TN earn a median of $64,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.53% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the Tennessee state average of $65,789.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.90/hr = $38,569/year (purchasing power: $42,014).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,282/year (purchasing power: $70,024).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cleveland grew 17.5% from $25.57/hr (2019) to $30.06/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.77/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
A part-time occupational therapy assistant in Cleveland, working three days a week, could take home approximately $38,580 annually. This figure contrasts sharply with full-time earnings, which can approach $64,276. For those considering per diem work, the compensation varies widely; many bill between $30 and $45 for their services, while travel contracts might command fees ranging from $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. It's intriguing to note that the reimbursement cuts post-2022 have made some skilled nursing facilities hesitant to offer premium pay, affecting overall hourly rates. Different employer types in Cleveland also influence pay; skilled nursing facilities typically pay less, whereas outpatient clinics or school district contracts might yield better compensation. While some occupational therapy assistants may opt for lower hourly wages with benefits like health insurance, others prefer the higher hourly rates that come without such safety nets, showcasing the trade-offs important in this field. Negotiation strategies for hourly pay in Cleveland can benefit from understanding local market trends and being open to flexible scheduling, enhancing opportunities for better pay.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cleveland in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Cleveland?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Cleveland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Cleveland?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Cleveland?
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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 Cleveland. 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 Cleveland 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