Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wooster, OH: $63,156 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Wooster, OH earns a median $63,156/year (≈ $30.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Wooster's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $69,632 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Wooster, Ohio can expect a median annual salary of $63,156 in 2026, which represents a notable difference compared to the national median of $74,332. With a salary range primarily between $48,698 and $77,420, these figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting local economic factors and cost adjustments. The divide between settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals has become particularly significant. Following recent Medicare cuts, occupational therapy assistant compensation in skilled nursing and outpatient roles has faced additional pressure, impacting overall earnings potential in the region. As the local healthcare environment continues to shift, professionals will need to understand these dynamics to navigate their career paths effectively.
About the Wooster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,698 | $23.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,170 | $27.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,156 | $30.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,829 | $32.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,420 | $37.22 |
Median Salary Position
15.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wooster
In Wooster, OH, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,722 (2026 est.). At $63,156, the local median is 15.04% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wooster: You'd be above the median
How Wooster Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Wooster median: $63,156/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wooster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,244 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.04% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wooster, OH earn a median of $63,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.04% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% below the Ohio state average of $65,244.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wooster 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.
Wooster, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,156 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,632 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,262
2025 BLS Actual
$61,430
2026 Current Est.
$63,156
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wooster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,262 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,449 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,935 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,929 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,156 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,931 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wooster metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,262 (2019) to $61,430 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,931 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,669 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wooster 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) | $48,698 – $56,170 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,170 – $63,156 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,156 – $66,829 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,829 – $77,420 |
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 Wooster
The job market in Wooster features a limited number of positions, with only six occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area. This small workforce is set against a cost of living index of 90.7, which indicates that expenses will be lower compared to many other regions, allowing for potentially better purchasing power with local salaries. Among employers, hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, while school districts typically provide more stable contracts. The discrepancies between lower and higher-paid positions can be attributed to factors such as productivity expectations, job settings, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on pay structures. For emerging COTAs, understanding how to negotiate for better wages, seeking employment in higher-paying institutions, and exploring specializations can be effective strategies for maximizing their pay in Wooster's unique market.
More salary data for Wooster, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Wooster?
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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 $61,430 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Wooster 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 Wooster 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