OT Assistant Salary

Lansing vs Westland: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Lansing, MI
$70,152
$33.73/hr
Westland, MI
$69,525
$33.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIWestland, MI
Median Salary$70,152$69,525
Hourly Rate$33.73$33.42
Entry Level (P10)$46,486$48,513
25th Percentile$61,257$58,070
75th Percentile$79,243$74,517
Top Earner (P90)$91,139$83,148
Total Employed1914
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($70,152) and Westland ($69,525) occupational therapy assistant salaries.LansingWestlandMedian Salary$70,152$69,525Entry Level (P10)$46,486$48,513Top Earner (P90)$91,139$83,148US Median $74,332

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Westland.

The salary gap between Lansing and Westland is $627 (0.90%). Lansing's median is -5.62% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $44,653,Westland spans $34,635. Lansing has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$46,486
P25$61,257
Median$70,152
P75$79,243
P90 (Top)$91,139
Westland
P10 (Entry)$48,513
P25$58,070
Median$69,525
P75$74,517
P90 (Top)$83,148

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($75,270 effective) pays 0.90% more than Westland ($74,598 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $70,152
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $75,270
Westland
Nominal: $69,525
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $74,598

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,152/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,139)
  • Larger job market (19 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,270)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Westland if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Lansing grew 13.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Westland over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+13.0%

$60,401 (2024) → $68,235 (2025)

Westland, MI

+13.0%

$59,862 (2024) → $67,625 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Lansing or Westland?

Lansing has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $70,152/year, compared to Westland at $69,525/year — a difference of $627 (0.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Westland?

Lansing occupational therapy assistants earn $33.73/hr while Westland hygienists earn $33.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Westland as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Westland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $75,270, Westland = $74,598), job availability (19 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Lansing vs Westland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $46,486 in Lansing and $48,513 in Westland. The Westland 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