Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Dayton, OH: $71,988 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Dayton, OH earns a median $71,988/year (≈ $34.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $77,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.3% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Dayton, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $71,988 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease when compared to the national figure of $74,332. The salary for this role can vary significantly, with a range from $56,247 at the 10th percentile to $84,417 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the productivity expectations placed on COTAs, which is often dictated by the number of patient visits they manage daily. Understanding the competitive landscape in Dayton is essential for entry-level professionals and those considering their COTA to MOT pathway in a market shaped by evolving healthcare demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,247 | $27.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,406 | $30.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,988 | $34.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,637 | $38.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,417 | $40.59 |
Median Salary Position
3.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,170 (2026 est.). At $71,988, the local median is 3.15% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be above the median
How Dayton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Dayton median: $71,988/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,265 | +10.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -3.15% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dayton, OH earn a median of $71,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 10.30% above the Ohio state average of $65,265.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $71,988 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,662 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,450
2025 BLS Actual
$70,020
2026 Current Est.
$71,988
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,988 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,010 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 10.4% from $63,450 (2019) to $70,020 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,010 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,560 (16.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $56,247 – $62,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,406 – $71,988 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,988 – $79,637 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,637 – $84,417 |
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 Dayton
The local job market currently employs about 270 occupational therapy assistants, which bolsters the availability of positions in the region. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 92.694, many COTAs may find their purchasing power is enhanced compared to national averages. In Dayton, skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest pay, while school districts provide more stable hours, largely due to differences in contract structures and productivity demands. Factors contributing to salary variation include the settings in which therapists work, weekend or PRN shifts that can command a premium, and the lingering impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Dayton, pursuing positions in higher-paying settings and being flexible with scheduling can enhance earning potential in a market characterized by modest overall growth of 2.81% projected over five years.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Dayton?
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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 $70,020 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Dayton 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
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