Occupational Therapist Salary in Ohio: $102,712 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $102,712/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,244 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Beavercreek ($104,002), Dayton ($103,840), Cleveland ($103,060).
In Ohio, the average median salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is projected to be $102,712, slightly below the national median of $103,400, reflecting a difference of -0.7%. The highest paying city is Beavercreek, with a salary of $107,184, while Mansfield offers the lowest at $80,820, showcasing a notable salary gap of $26,364. This disparity is often influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for services in specific regions, and local funding for healthcare and rehabilitation programs. Ohio's occupational therapists must navigate state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws, which can influence job responsibilities and opportunities. The projected growth rate for this occupation in the state is 3.06% annually, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals. Cities like Dayton ($107,018), Cleveland ($106,214), Kettering ($105,575), and Cincinnati ($103,957) also offer competitive salaries, driven by expanding population needs and facilities focusing on rehabilitation and recovery services. With over 6,427 occupational therapists employed across 67 metro areas, the job market appears stable, providing a favorable environment for those entering the profession in Ohio.
Ohio Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $60,032 (lowest entry-level) to $142,673 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio occupational therapists earn 0.67% less than the national median ($-688/year difference).
Ohio Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Ohio range from $73,888 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $126,846 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $102,712. The Ohio median is $688 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $49.38/hr. Approximately 6,427 occupational therapists are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$83,815
2025 BLS Actual
$99,662
2026 Current Est.
$102,712
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,815 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,218 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,922 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,726 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,662 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,712 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,855 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.9% from $83,815 (2019) to $99,662 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,040 (26.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mansfield | $80,820 |
| Lima | $87,488 |
| Solon | $93,089 |
| Centerville | $93,104 |
| Avon Lake | $93,309 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beavercreek | $107,184 | 90.7 | $118,174 |
| Kettering | $105,575 | 90.7 | $116,400 |
| Dayton | $107,018 | 92.694 | $115,453 |
| Cleveland | $106,214 | 93.923 | $113,086 |
| Toledo | $103,410 | 91.455 | $113,072 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $73,888 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $102,712 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $126,846 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beavercreek | $107,184 |
| 2 | Dayton | $107,018 |
| 3 | Cleveland | $106,214 |
| 4 | Kettering | $105,575 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $103,957 |
| 6 | Toledo | $103,410 |
| 7 | Lorain | $102,380 |
| 8 | Parma | $102,099 |
| 9 | Columbus | $101,947 |
| 10 | Cuyahoga Falls | $101,682 |
| 11 | Akron | $101,535 |
| 12 | Hamilton | $101,330 |
| 13 | Canton | $101,040 |
| 14 | Lakewood | $100,776 |
| 15 | Bowling Green | $100,642 |
| 16 | Lancaster | $100,610 |
| 17 | Zanesville | $100,603 |
| 18 | Westlake | $100,430 |
| 19 | Middletown | $100,391 |
| 20 | Grove City | $100,100 |
| 21 | Delaware | $100,021 |
| 22 | Gahanna | $100,005 |
| 23 | Westerville | $99,942 |
| 24 | Huber Heights | $99,706 |
| 25 | Massillon | $99,670 |
| 26 | North Ridgeville | $99,628 |
| 27 | North Royalton | $99,487 |
| 28 | North Olmsted | $99,133 |
| 29 | Reynoldsburg | $98,960 |
| 30 | Strongsville | $98,629 |
| 31 | Brunswick | $98,017 |
| 32 | Wooster | $98,017 |
| 33 | Elyria | $97,864 |
| 34 | Shaker Heights | $97,665 |
| 35 | Medina | $97,600 |
| 36 | Dublin | $97,286 |
| 37 | Fairfield | $97,278 |
| 38 | Springfield | $97,216 |
| 39 | Mentor | $97,176 |
| 40 | Mason | $96,752 |
| 41 | Avon | $96,631 |
| 42 | Marion | $96,484 |
| 43 | Stow | $96,477 |
| 44 | Newark | $96,421 |
| 45 | Findlay | $96,319 |
| 46 | Green | $96,169 |
| 47 | Barberton | $96,169 |
| 48 | Austintown | $96,130 |
| 49 | Cleveland Heights | $96,115 |
| 50 | Upper Arlington | $95,989 |
| 51 | Xenia | $95,989 |
| 52 | Hilliard | $95,872 |
| 53 | Oxford | $95,572 |
| 54 | Chillicothe | $95,367 |
| 55 | Warren | $95,253 |
| 56 | Youngstown | $95,021 |
| 57 | Perrysburg | $95,016 |
| 58 | Trotwood | $94,985 |
| 59 | Athens | $93,980 |
| 60 | Sandusky | $93,486 |
| 61 | Tiffin | $93,455 |
| 62 | Wadsworth | $93,379 |
| 63 | Avon Lake | $93,309 |
| 64 | Centerville | $93,104 |
| 65 | Solon | $93,089 |
| 66 | Lima | $87,488 |
| 67 | Mansfield | $80,820 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Ohio cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Compare Cities in Ohio
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Ohio in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Ohio?
How does Ohio occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Ohio?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Ohio?
Which Ohio city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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