Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Auburn Hills, MI: $67,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Auburn Hills, MI earns a median $67,643/year (≈ $32.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Auburn Hills's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $72,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Auburn Hills, MI, can expect a median annual salary of $67,643 in 2026, which reflects ongoing adjustments in the healthcare sector amid post-Medicare cut realities. The local salary range spans from $47,864 at the lower end (P10) to $84,097 at the upper end (P90). These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and consider the regional cost of living adjustments. Compared to the national median salary of $74,332, the compensation for this role in Auburn Hills indicates a reduction of about 9.00%. The job market has a unique composition, with various settings like skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals presenting differing pay structures that influence overall earnings.
About the Auburn Hills Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,864 | $23.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,778 | $27.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,643 | $32.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,831 | $35.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,097 | $40.44 |
Median Salary Position
9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn Hills
In Auburn Hills, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,233 (2026 est.). At $67,643, the local median is 9% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn Hills: You'd be above the median
How Auburn Hills Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Auburn Hills median: $67,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,306 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.00% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Auburn Hills, MI earn a median of $67,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.00% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $69,306.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn Hills has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn Hills, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,643 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,975
2025 BLS Actual
$65,794
2026 Current Est.
$67,643
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Auburn Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,975 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,175 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,468 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,794 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn Hills metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,975 (2019) to $65,794 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,569 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn Hills 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,864 – $56,778 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,778 – $67,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,643 – $74,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,831 – $84,097 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Auburn Hills
In Auburn Hills, there are currently four occupational therapy assistants employed, showcasing a modest local job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, the purchasing power for OTAs remains favorable, though the lower index means salaries stretch further than in higher-cost regions. Among the main employers in the area, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals tend to offer the highest pay, while skilled nursing facilities may struggle with tighter budgets due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA-provided services. Factors driving the salary spectrum include work setting, which typically sees hospitals paying more than schools or skilled nursing facilities, as well as contract types that range from school-year to year-round commitments, impacting income stability. To maximize earnings in Auburn Hills's market, occupational therapy assistants should consider pursuing roles in higher-paying facilities and exploring opportunities for weekend or PRN hours that may provide additional compensation.
More salary data for Auburn Hills, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Auburn Hills, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Auburn Hills?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,794 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Auburn Hills metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn Hills 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