Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Cincinnati, OH: $49.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Cincinnati, OH runs $49.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,957 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Cincinnati's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.4, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,380 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Cincinnati, OH, earn a median hourly rate of $49.98, which slightly surpasses the national median of $49.71. This competitive hourly pay facilitates flexible work schedules, making it feasible for professionals to pursue part-time roles, such as working three days a week in various settings like hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and school therapy rooms. The hourly range for this profession in Cincinnati varies from $39.27 at the 10th percentile to $63.73 at the 90th percentile, offering a robust spectrum for both entry-level and seasoned occupational therapists. The data provided stems from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating potential earnings for OTs evaluating their workplace options in the city.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.27 | $314.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.47 | $331.77 |
| Median (P50) | $49.98 | $399.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.95 | $455.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.73 | $509.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cincinnati
Based on $49.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.98/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cincinnati, OH can expect to earn approximately $103,967 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,981. With a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cincinnati.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cincinnati
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,999.36 | $8,664 | $103,967 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,199.62 | $5,198 | $62,380 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $799.75 | $3,466 | $41,587 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Cincinnati) | $49.98 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $103,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.54% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 2.60% above the Ohio state average of $101,322.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.98/hr = $62,380/year (purchasing power: $65,409).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,967/year (purchasing power: $109,014).
CoL index: 95.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Cincinnati grew 24.6% from $38.91/hr (2019) to $48.50/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.51/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapist in Cincinnati
Examining the earning potential for part-time occupational therapists reveals that those working 24 hours a week in Cincinnati could take home a substantial income annually compared to full-time practitioners. Per-diem occupational therapist pay in Cincinnati typically ranges from $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized hand therapists certified as CHT commanding even higher rates between $80 and $110 in private cash-pay practices. Furthermore, travel occupational therapy contracts can yield impressive weekly earnings, often ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. Hourly rates can fluctuate significantly based on the type of employer; those in outpatient hand therapy clinics or mental health settings may earn more or less than those in home health agencies or school districts. When considering job offers, many OTs weigh the trade-off of higher hourly pay against the benefits of full-time positions that include benefits like health insurance. For those negotiating hourly rates, it is advisable to research local pay scales and emphasize relevant certifications and experience to secure favorable terms in the Cincinnati job market.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Cincinnati in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Cincinnati?
Are occupational therapists in Cincinnati paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Cincinnati?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Cincinnati?
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Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Cincinnati. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov