OT Assistant Salary

Flint vs Muskegon: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Flint, MI and Muskegon, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Flint, MI
$61,727
$29.68/hr
Muskegon, MI
$63,958
$30.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlint, MIMuskegon, MI
Median Salary$61,727$63,958
Hourly Rate$29.68$30.75
Entry Level (P10)$53,307$51,282
25th Percentile$53,605$57,656
75th Percentile$66,292$63,958
Top Earner (P90)$66,292$74,105
Total Employed4040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Flint ($61,727) and Muskegon ($63,958) occupational therapy assistant salaries.FlintMuskegonMedian Salary$61,727$63,958Entry Level (P10)$53,307$51,282Top Earner (P90)$66,292$74,105US Median $74,332

Verdict

Muskegon, MI offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Flint.

The salary gap between Flint and Muskegon is $2,231 (3.61%). Muskegon's median is -13.96% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Flint spans $12,985,Muskegon spans $22,823. Muskegon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Flint
P10 (Entry)$53,307
P25$53,605
Median$61,727
P75$66,292
P90 (Top)$66,292
Muskegon
P10 (Entry)$51,282
P25$57,656
Median$63,958
P75$63,958
P90 (Top)$74,105

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Muskegon ($69,130 effective) pays 4.19% more than Flint ($66,349 effective).

Flint
Nominal: $61,727
CoL Index: 93.034
Adjusted: $66,349
Muskegon
Nominal: $63,958
CoL Index: 92.519
Adjusted: $69,130

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Flint if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Muskegon if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,958/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($74,105)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,130)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Flint grew 0.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 9.8% growth in Muskegon over the same period.

Flint, MI

+0.0%

$60,040 (2021) → $60,040 (2025)

Muskegon, MI

+9.8%

$56,660 (2021) → $62,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Flint or Muskegon?

Muskegon has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $63,958/year, compared to Flint at $61,727/year — a difference of $2,231 (3.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Flint and Muskegon?

Flint occupational therapy assistants earn $29.68/hr while Muskegon hygienists earn $30.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Flint to Muskegon as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Flint and Muskegon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Flint = $66,349, Muskegon = $69,130), job availability (40 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Flint vs Muskegon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,307 in Flint and $51,282 in Muskegon. The Flint area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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