Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Clair Shores, MI: $33.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in St. Clair Shores, MI runs $33.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,867 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against St. Clair Shores's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,315 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Clair Shores, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay for 2026 is $33.10, slightly below the national median of $35.74. This rate offers rewarding options for part-time and per-diem positions within various health care settings, including skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation units, schools, outpatient clinics, and home health care. For those working part-time, say three days a week, the earnings can approximate a manageable income while allowing flexibility to balance other responsibilities. The hourly wage range spans from $24.14 for entry-level positions up to $42.28 for those at the top of their field, reflecting the experience and skill level required in this profession. Although these figures are derived from annual salary data, they provide valuable insights for COTAs evaluating their compensation options in St. Clair Shores.
About the St. Clair 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) | $24.14 | $193.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.53 | $228.24 |
| Median (P50) | $33.10 | $264.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.09 | $296.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.28 | $338.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Clair Shores
Based on $33.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.10/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Clair Shores, MI can expect to earn approximately $68,858 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,726. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Clair Shores.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Clair Shores
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,324.19 | $5,738 | $68,858 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $794.52 | $3,443 | $41,315 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.68 | $2,295 | $27,543 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (St. Clair Shores) | $33.10 |
| 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 St. Clair Shores, MI earn a median of $68,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.35% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $69,283.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.10/hr = $41,315/year (purchasing power: $44,329).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,858/year (purchasing power: $73,882).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Clair Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Clair Shores grew 17.5% from $27.39/hr (2019) to $32.20/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.04/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 St. Clair 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 St. Clair Shores
Examining earnings in St. Clair Shores reveals that a part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week can expect a decent annual income, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts but still viable for many professionals. For per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in St. Clair Shores, billing rates typically fall between $30 to $45 an hour, with travel contracts potentially earning $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. However, the landscape shifted post-2022 due to reimbursement cuts impacting pay significantly for COTAs in skilled nursing facilities. The hourly wage can vary remarkably among employer types; for instance, school districts may offer lower pay compared to outpatient clinics due to differences in budget allocations. Some occupational therapy assistants accept lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others may opt for agency roles that provide a higher hourly rate but lack such perks. Negotiating effectively for pay involves understanding the local market and knowing what each setting can offer, which is crucial for making informed career decisions in the continuously evolving field.
More salary data for St. Clair Shores, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Clair Shores in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in St. Clair Shores?
Are occupational therapy assistants in St. Clair Shores paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in St. Clair Shores?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in St. Clair Shores?
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 St. Clair 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 St. Clair 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