Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Royal Oak, MI: $32.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Royal Oak, MI runs $32.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,428 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Royal Oak's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,058 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Royal Oak, Michigan, the projected median hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants is $32.90, which reflects a slight variance when compared to the national median of $35.74. This rate can accommodate various work arrangements, including part-time positions, where an assistant working three days a week could earn a substantial income depending on their specific hours. The hourly pay spans a range between $24.72 for entry-level roles to $41.49 for those at the top of their game. Given that these figures are derived from annual salary expectations, they capture the potential earnings for COTAs across diverse environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, and even home health care settings.
About the Royal Oak 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) | $24.72 | $197.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.82 | $230.54 |
| Median (P50) | $32.90 | $263.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.63 | $293.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.49 | $331.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Royal Oak
Based on $32.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.90/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Royal Oak, MI can expect to earn approximately $68,430 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,479. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Royal Oak.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Royal Oak
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,315.97 | $5,703 | $68,430 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $789.58 | $3,422 | $41,058 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $526.39 | $2,281 | $27,372 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Royal Oak) | $32.90 |
| 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 Royal Oak, MI earn a median of $68,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.94% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% below the Michigan state average of $69,259.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.90/hr = $41,058/year (purchasing power: $44,054).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,430/year (purchasing power: $73,423).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Royal Oak (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Royal Oak grew 17.5% from $27.22/hr (2019) to $32.00/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.82/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 Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak
For occupational therapy assistants considering part-time work, committing to three days a week typically results in an annual income that might approach the lower end of full-time counterparts, landing around $52,000 depending on specific hours worked. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Royal Oak often falls between $30-$45 per hour, offering an attractive alternative for those seeking flexibility. However, travel contracts may yield higher returns, with some weekly earnings clocking in between $1,100 to $1,700. The various employer types — from outpatient clinics to school districts — can influence pay considerably, with skilled nursing facilities often paying lower due to historical reimbursement cuts. Many COTAs might choose employment situations based on benefits like health insurance, even if it means accepting a lower hourly rate. It's advisable for occupational therapy assistants to consider their financial and professional goals when negotiating pay, especially when positioning themselves within a competitive local workforce.
More salary data for Royal Oak, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Royal Oak in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Royal Oak?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Royal Oak paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Royal Oak?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Royal Oak?
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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 Royal Oak. 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 Royal Oak 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