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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Ohio: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Ohio employs 3,890 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $62,700 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Ohio licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Ohio (May 2025)

Ohio median pay: $62,700 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $49,500
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,930
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,600
Employed in Ohio: 3,890
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Ohio markets:

Dayton: $70,020 (270 employed)
Cincinnati: $67,460 (480 employed)
Toledo: $63,710 (250 employed)
Columbus: $63,480 (610 employed)
Cleveland: $62,700 (720 employed)
Akron: $62,380 (280 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Ohio

Prices in Ohio run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,700 median stretches to roughly $67,565 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Ohio (2024–2034)

Ohio is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +11.9%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 420 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Ohio License and Certification Requirements

Occupational Therapy Assistant license — regulated by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board.

Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.
Pass the NBCOT COTA examination.
Apply through the OTPTAT Board.

Official requirements: Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board →

Training in Ohio

Schools, rehab hospitals, and skilled nursing anchor Ohio OTA demand. Community college programs across the state keep entry affordable.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Ohio include:

ATA College-Cincinnati — Associate
Belmont College — Associate
Bryant & Stratton College-Parma — Associate
Central Ohio Technical College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Ohio

Real Ohio outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Midwest Rehabilitation, Inc — Ada
Apex Health and Rehab — Akron
Children's Developmental Center — Amherst
Ohio University Therapy Associates — Athens
Powerback Rehabilitation — Avon Lake
Barberton Physical Therapy/matrix — Barberton

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ohio?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Ohio is $62,700 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $49,500, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Ohio?

Occupational Therapy Assistant license, overseen by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Ohio?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Ohio metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Ohio metro areas, Dayton leads at $70,020, followed by Cincinnati ($67,460), Toledo ($63,710). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Ohio?

Real Ohio options include ATA College-Cincinnati, Belmont College, Bryant & Stratton College-Parma. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Ohio?

Ohio projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +11.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 420 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Ohio statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Ohio wages · Ohio licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.