Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lakewood, OH: $64,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lakewood, OH earns a median $64,934/year (≈ $31.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $71,592 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Lakewood, OH, sits at $64,934, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The local salary range extends from $44,403 at the 10th percentile to $83,017 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the varying compensation based on experience and setting. These estimates reflect local market conditions shaped by factors like job demand and the cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, which is below the national average, Lakewood's job market presents unique dynamics for occupational therapy assistants, particularly regarding expected productivity and the volume of patient visits each day.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,403 | $21.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,556 | $25.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,934 | $31.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,337 | $33.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,017 | $39.91 |
Median Salary Position
12.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,614 (2026 est.). At $64,934, the local median is 12.64% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be above the median
How Lakewood Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $64,934/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,260 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.64% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lakewood, OH earn a median of $64,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $65,260.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood 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.
Lakewood, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,934 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,592 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,733
2025 BLS Actual
$63,159
2026 Current Est.
$64,934
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,733 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,982 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,925 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,127 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,159 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,758 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,733 (2019) to $63,159 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,758 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,025 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $44,403 – $53,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,556 – $64,934 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,934 – $70,337 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,337 – $83,017 |
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 Lakewood
In Lakewood, there are 11 occupational therapy assistants currently employed, indicating a niche market that could benefit from targeted strategies to enhance earning potential. The cost of living plays a significant role in determining take-home pay, as lower expenses can stretch salaries further. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the most lucrative positions, followed by hospital inpatient rehabilitation services. The spread between low and high pay can be influenced by various factors, including the setting of employment, productivity expectations, and recent reimbursement cuts from Medicare that have affected how much occupational therapy assistants can earn across different environments. For those considering employment in Lakewood, pursuing opportunities in settings that typically pay more—such as home health agencies or outpatient clinics—along with actively enhancing skill sets, can significantly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Lakewood, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Lakewood?
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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 $63,159 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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