Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Middletown, OH: $64,686 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Middletown, OH earns a median $64,686/year (≈ $31.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $71,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Middletown, Ohio, is $64,686, which reflects a notable variance compared to the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $47,394 at the 10th percentile to $78,342 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities, highlight the challenges faced by occupational therapy assistants operating within different settings, such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) versus hospitals and schools. The ongoing effects of Medicare cuts on reimbursement rates have placed additional pressure on these professionals to seek opportunities that maximize compensation while navigating a market that rewards hospital-based roles more significantly than those in SNFs and educational environments.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,394 | $22.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,494 | $26.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,686 | $31.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,294 | $33.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,342 | $37.67 |
Median Salary Position
12.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,948 (2026 est.). At $64,686, the local median is 12.98% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be above the median
How Middletown Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Middletown median: $64,686/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,273 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.98% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Middletown, OH earn a median of $64,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.98% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% below the Ohio state average of $65,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown 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.
Middletown, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,686 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,319 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,528
2025 BLS Actual
$62,918
2026 Current Est.
$64,686
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,528 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,913 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,314 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,332 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,918 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,686 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,504 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,528 (2019) to $62,918 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,504 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,976 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $47,394 – $55,494 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,494 – $64,686 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,686 – $70,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,294 – $78,342 |
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 Middletown
With only nine occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Middletown, the local job market presents both challenges and opportunities. The area’s cost-of-living index of 90.7 indicates that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance purchasing power for those in the profession. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings typically offer the highest compensation, particularly as they strive to maintain productivity standards. The pay discrepancy can largely be attributed to various factors, including the demand for year-round contracts versus the school-year-only opportunities prevalent in educational settings. To optimize earning potential in Middletown, COTAs should consider specializing in high-demand areas, seeking positions within hospitals, or enhancing their skills to pivot toward outpatient services—all while remaining mindful of the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that continues to shape the landscape of occupational therapy assistant pay in Middletown, OH.
More salary data for Middletown, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $62,918 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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