Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Garden City, MI: $32.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Garden City, MI runs $32.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,348 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Garden City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,404 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Garden City, MI, is projected to be $32.37 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to a solid income while allowing for a flexible schedule. Per-diem employment provides options for workers seeking variability in their work settings, which frequently include skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. The anticipated hourly range for COTAs in Garden City is from $22.64 for entry-level positions to $39.89 for experienced professionals. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, providing a useful framework for those exploring career opportunities as occupational therapy assistants in this region.
About the Garden 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) | $22.64 | $181.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.98 | $231.86 |
| Median (P50) | $32.37 | $259.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.68 | $285.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.89 | $319.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden City
Based on $32.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.37/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden City, MI can expect to earn approximately $67,340 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,850. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garden City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,294.99 | $5,612 | $67,340 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $777.00 | $3,367 | $40,404 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $518.00 | $2,245 | $26,936 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Garden City) | $32.37 |
| 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 Garden City, MI earn a median of $67,348 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.40% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the Michigan state average of $69,288.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.37/hr = $40,404/year (purchasing power: $43,352).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,340/year (purchasing power: $72,253).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Garden City grew 17.5% from $26.79/hr (2019) to $31.49/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.28/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 Garden 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 Garden City
When it comes to annual earnings, a part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $40,000, significantly less than a full-time counterpart who would earn around $67,348. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants, pay typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering between $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. Although some skilled nursing facilities have seen a decline in premium pay due to the 15% Medicare Part B cut implemented in 2022, there remains a variety of settings in Garden City where hourly rates can vary significantly based on employer type. Occupational therapy assistants in schools or home health agencies may accept slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits, which is an essential consideration during negotiations. Those entering this field should assess their options carefully and leverage their skills to negotiate better hourly terms in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Garden City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Garden City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Garden City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Garden City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Garden City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Garden City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 Garden 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 Garden 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