Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lima, OH: $62,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lima, OH earns a median $62,251/year (≈ $29.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lima's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $69,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Lima, OH is projected to reach a median of $62,251, demonstrating a substantial gap when compared to the national median of $74,332. This discrepancy can largely be attributed to the structural divide between different types of employers, such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), school districts, and hospital settings, especially in light of the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services. The salary range for occupational therapy assistants in Lima spans from $48,362 at the lower end to $74,075 for those at the upper echelons of the field, reflecting both the variety in employer settings and the varying responsibilities that come with different roles. These figures arise from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and provide valuable insight for those considering a career in this important area of healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,362 | $23.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,891 | $24.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,251 | $29.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,824 | $30.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,075 | $35.61 |
Median Salary Position
16.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,713 (2026 est.). At $62,251, the local median is 16.25% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be above the median
How Lima Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lima median: $62,251/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,253 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.25% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lima, OH earn a median of $62,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% below the Ohio state average of $65,253.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima has a cost of living 10.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.669 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,251 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,423 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,514
2025 BLS Actual
$60,550
2026 Current Est.
$62,251
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,514 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,711 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,514 (2019) to $60,550 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,487 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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) | $48,362 – $50,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,891 – $62,251 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,251 – $63,824 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,824 – $74,075 |
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 Lima
Potential earnings for occupational therapy assistants in Lima can vary significantly based on the type of employer and job setting. Currently, there are about 50 occupational therapy assistants working in the area, making it a competitive market for entry-level positions. With a cost-of-living index of 89.669, salaries can stretch further in Lima compared to the national average, but the reality is that the pay still lags behind national benchmarks. Facilities such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer higher compensation compared to SNFs and school districts, where the recent cuts in Medicare funding have led to tighter budgets and lower salary offerings. Factors influencing the disparity in earnings include expected productivity in settings, weekend or PRN pay premiums, and whether one’s contracts are year-round or aligned with the school year. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Lima, focusing on settings that offer greater salary potential, such as hospitals, and gaining experience in high-demand areas can be advantageous.
More salary data for Lima, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Lima?
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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 $60,550 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lima 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, 5-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