Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Dearborn Heights, MI: $69,224 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Dearborn Heights, MI earns a median $69,224/year (≈ $33.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Dearborn Heights's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $74,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for occupational therapy assistants in Dearborn Heights is projected to be a median annual salary of $69,224, reflecting a notable divergence from the national median of $74,332. Local salaries span a range from $47,815 to $89,100, indicating a varied job market influenced by both sector and workplace type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost variations, offer insights into the economic realities facing COTAs in this area. The dynamics of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), school districts, and hospital systems shape salaries significantly, particularly in the context of the 15% Medicare cut that affects reimbursement for OTA services.
About the Dearborn Heights Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,815 | $22.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,453 | $27.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,224 | $33.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,829 | $35.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,100 | $42.84 |
Median Salary Position
6.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dearborn Heights
In Dearborn Heights, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,285 (2026 est.). At $69,224, the local median is 6.87% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Dearborn Heights: You'd be above the median
How Dearborn Heights Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Dearborn Heights median: $69,224/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dearborn Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,293 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.87% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dearborn Heights, MI earn a median of $69,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.87% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% below the Michigan state average of $69,293.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dearborn Heights 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.
Dearborn Heights, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,224 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,283
2025 BLS Actual
$67,332
2026 Current Est.
$69,224
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dearborn Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,283 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,835 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,405 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,602 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,332 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,224 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dearborn Heights metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,283 (2019) to $67,332 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,886 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dearborn Heights 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) | $47,815 – $57,453 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,453 – $69,224 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,224 – $73,829 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,829 – $89,100 |
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 Dearborn Heights
With only 13 occupational therapy assistants employed in Dearborn Heights, this somewhat limited workforce can lead to heightened competition among clinics and facilities vying for skilled practitioners. The local cost of living index stands at 93.2, slightly below the national average, which suggests that while pay may initially seem reduced, purchasing power remains viable for residents. Facilities that typically offer higher salaries include hospital inpatient rehab programs, due to their emphasis on urgent patient needs and the productivity requirements that come with them. Factors such as weekend premiums, PRN shifts, and the variability of contracts—between school-year and year-round roles—create a wide pay spectrum. For COTAs looking to maximize their income in Dearborn Heights, pursuing settings that provide added compensation for unique hours or specialized services may yield significant financial benefits, especially in a post-Medicare cut environment.
More salary data for Dearborn Heights, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Dearborn Heights, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Dearborn Heights?
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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 $67,332 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Dearborn Heights 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 Dearborn Heights 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