Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Allen Park, MI: $32.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Allen Park, MI runs $32.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,944 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Allen Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,160 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Allen Park, Michigan, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in 2026 is $32.18, which falls below the national median of $35.74. This rate offers significant earning potential for various work arrangements such as part-time employment across settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, school therapy rooms, and home health visits. For part-time workers typically scheduled three days a week, the flexibility of the occupation allows for a steady income while maintaining work-life balance. Entry-level professionals may earn approximately $24.74 hourly, while seasoned practitioners can command up to $39.37, showing a robust wage scale reflective of skills and experience necessary for the role.
About the Allen Park Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.74 | $197.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.85 | $222.81 |
| Median (P50) | $32.18 | $257.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.21 | $281.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.37 | $314.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Allen Park
Based on $32.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.18/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Allen Park, MI can expect to earn approximately $66,933 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,615. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Allen Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Allen Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,287.18 | $5,578 | $66,933 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $772.31 | $3,347 | $40,160 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $514.87 | $2,231 | $26,773 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Allen Park) | $32.18 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Allen Park, MI earn a median of $66,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.94% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.40% below the Michigan state average of $69,300.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.18/hr = $40,160/year (purchasing power: $43,090).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,933/year (purchasing power: $71,817).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Allen Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Allen Park grew 17.5% from $26.63/hr (2019) to $31.30/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.08/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Allen Park 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 2.81% 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 Therapy Assistant in Allen Park
When considering the income of a part-time occupational therapy assistant, working an average of 24 hours per week translates to an annual take-home close to $39,964 before taxes. In contrast, full-time positions enable more substantial earnings, impacting lifestyle choices and financial stability. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Allen Park typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the specific contract and local demands. Travel COTA contracts can be lucrative as they often pay between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. However, after the 15% cut to Medicare reimbursement for OTA services in 2022, many skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates to manage budgets, prompting professionals to weigh the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefit packages. It’s essential for COTAs in Allen Park to negotiate thoughtfully, perhaps by emphasizing their qualifications or interest in specialized practices, to ensure competitive compensation while securing necessary benefits like health insurance, which can be crucial for long-term career sustainability.
More salary data for Allen Park, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Allen Park. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Allen Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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