Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Bay City, MI: $33.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Bay City, MI runs $33.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,772 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Bay City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,263 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bay City, Michigan, the typical compensation for an occupational therapy assistant stands at an hourly median of $33.06. This rate falls short of the national median hourly wage of $35.74, indicating a slight regional disparity. For those considering part-time employment, working just three days a week typically results in a take-home pay that remains competitive, allowing them to work in settings such as skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. Entry-level positions start at around $24.31 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command as much as $38.98 per hour. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data and reflect the ongoing demand for skilled COTAs in various therapeutic environments within the region.
About the Bay City 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) | $24.31 | $194.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.43 | $227.42 |
| Median (P50) | $33.06 | $264.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.28 | $282.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.98 | $311.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bay City
Based on $33.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.06/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bay City, MI can expect to earn approximately $68,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,676. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bay City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bay City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,322.55 | $5,731 | $68,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $793.53 | $3,439 | $41,263 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.02 | $2,292 | $27,509 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bay City) | $33.06 |
| 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 Bay City, MI earn a median of $68,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.48% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $69,256.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.06/hr = $41,263/year (purchasing power: $44,274).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,772/year (purchasing power: $73,790).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bay City grew 17.5% from $27.36/hr (2019) to $32.16/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.99/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 Bay City 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 Bay City
On the part-time front, a three-day workweek totaling 24 hours translates to annual earnings significantly lower than those of full-time colleagues, leading to a reality where many occupational therapy assistants seek additional shifts or per-diem work to boost their pay. For per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Bay City, rates typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, although variations can occur based on the employer. Travel contracts may offer even higher pay, with weekly earnings between $1,100 and $1,700. Different employment settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies, reflect varied pay scales due to differences in funding and reimbursement rates, particularly post-2022 Medicare cuts. Additionally, COTAs often face the choice of accepting lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance versus pursuing higher hourly rates without added perks. For those navigating these employment options, effective negotiation can be key; understanding the local market and clearly communicating one’s qualifications can yield better opportunities in the competitive field of occupational therapy in Bay City, MI.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bay City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Bay City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Bay City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Bay City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bay City?
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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 Bay City. 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 Bay City 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