Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cleveland Heights, OH: $61,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cleveland Heights, OH earns a median $61,931/year (≈ $29.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cleveland Heights's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $68,281 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is $61,931, reflecting competitive compensation in the local job market despite being approximately 16.68% lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession spans from $46,037 at the 10th percentile to $73,592 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earnings potential based on experience and employment setting. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight a favorable environment for occupational therapy assistants examining long-term career opportunities. Moreover, the possibility of pursuing a COTA-to-MOT bridge program can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, making continued education and specialization worthwhile endeavors for professionals in Cleveland Heights.
About the Cleveland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,037 | $22.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,620 | $25.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,931 | $29.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,592 | $35.38 |
Median Salary Position
16.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland Heights
In Cleveland Heights, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,555 (2026 est.). At $61,931, the local median is 16.68% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Cleveland Heights: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Heights Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cleveland Heights median: $61,931/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,259 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.68% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $61,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.68% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $65,259.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland Heights has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland Heights, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,931 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,281 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,248
2025 BLS Actual
$60,238
2026 Current Est.
$61,931
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,248 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,431 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,531 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,831 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,805 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,238 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,671 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland Heights metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,248 (2019) to $60,238 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,423 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,037 – $53,620 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,620 – $61,931 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,931 – $66,440 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,440 – $73,592 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Cleveland Heights
Cleveland Heights presents a modest job market for occupational therapy assistants, with only nine currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 90.7, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than national averages, they provide a fairly comfortable lifestyle when adjusted for local expenses. Higher-paying employers usually include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers, where productivity expectations are greater. The disparity in wages can be attributed to various factors, including the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has directly influenced pay in settings like skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. Occupational therapy assistants seeking to maximize their pay in Cleveland Heights may consider positions within hospital systems or educational settings that offer year-round contracts, in addition to pursuing continued education and clinical specialization to enhance their expertise and marketability.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Cleveland Heights, OH in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Cleveland Heights?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,238 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Cleveland Heights metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cleveland Heights 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