Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Norton Shores, MI: $31.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Norton Shores, MI runs $31.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,516 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Norton Shores's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,313 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Norton Shores can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $31.50 in 2026, which falls below the projected national median of $35.74. This hourly rate offers a solid income for part-time workers, typically working three days a week, with earnings translating to around $4,080 monthly based on 24-hour work weeks. For per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Norton Shores, practitioners can work in various environments, such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. With hourly rates ranging from $23.95 for entry-level positions to $36.03 for experienced professionals, COTAs have opportunities to enhance their earning potential depending on their expertise and the settings they choose. However, the figures provided are estimates derived from annual salary data, and actual compensation may vary based on local demand and practice areas.
About the Norton Shores 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) | $23.95 | $191.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.84 | $214.75 |
| Median (P50) | $31.50 | $252.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.13 | $265.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.03 | $288.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Norton Shores
Based on $31.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.50/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Norton Shores, MI can expect to earn approximately $65,522 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,801. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Norton Shores.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Norton Shores
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,260.04 | $5,460 | $65,522 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $756.02 | $3,276 | $39,313 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $504.02 | $2,184 | $26,209 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Norton Shores) | $31.50 |
| 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 Norton Shores, MI earn a median of $65,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.86% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.40% below the Michigan state average of $69,255.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.50/hr = $39,313/year (purchasing power: $42,182).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,522/year (purchasing power: $70,303).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Norton Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Norton Shores grew 17.5% from $26.07/hr (2019) to $30.64/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.39/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 Norton Shores 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 Norton Shores
In terms of part-time earning potential, a COTA working 24 hours a week takes home about $49,824 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart who would earn significantly more. Per-diem occupational therapy assistants often command between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts bringing in between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, making agency work appealing despite the post-2022 reimbursement cuts. Hourly rates may differ based on the employer type; those working in skilled nursing facilities or early intervention programs might have lower rates compared to outpatient clinical settings due to varying budget constraints. Additionally, many occupational therapy assistants face the benefits trade-off—some opt for positions with lower pay but stable health insurance, while others pursue higher hourly wages that lack benefits. When negotiating pay in Norton Shores, it’s essential for occupational therapy assistants to understand the competitive landscape and articulate their worth, taking into account the local market conditions and potential employer offerings.
More salary data for Norton Shores, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Norton Shores in 2026?
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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 Norton Shores. 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 Norton Shores 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