Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Dearborn, MI: $62,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Dearborn, MI earns a median $62,288/year (≈ $29.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Dearborn's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $66,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.1% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Dearborn, Michigan, is set at a median of $62,288. This figure, while solid for the local market, falls short compared to the national median of $74,332, highlighting a disadvantage of approximately 16.20%. Salaries for COTAs in Dearborn range between $45,652 at the 10th percentile to $79,774 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derived from BLS state-level data account for regional price parities, reflecting the dynamics of local healthcare systems. Given the typical productivity expectations in this field, occupational therapy assistants need to effectively manage their patient visits per day to maximize compensation and remain competitive within this market.
About the Dearborn Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,652 | $21.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,466 | $25.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,288 | $29.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,871 | $33.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,774 | $38.35 |
Median Salary Position
16.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dearborn
In Dearborn, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,122 (2026 est.). At $62,288, the local median is 16.2% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dearborn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dearborn Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Dearborn median: $62,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dearborn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,286 | -10.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.20% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dearborn, MI earn a median of $62,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.20% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 10.10% below the Michigan state average of $69,286.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dearborn 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, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,288 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,833 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,544
2025 BLS Actual
$60,586
2026 Current Est.
$62,288
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dearborn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,544 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,729 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,153 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,934 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,586 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,039 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dearborn metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,544 (2019) to $60,586 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,039 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,495 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dearborn 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) | $45,652 – $52,466 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,466 – $62,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,288 – $69,871 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,871 – $79,774 |
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
Dearborn's job market for occupational therapy assistants consists of about 19 professionals currently employed, a modest figure that underscores the localized demand. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 93.2, professionals can stretch their earnings further compared to national averages. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer the highest pay rates, often influenced by productivity benchmarks and reimbursement rates that have tightened following the 15% Medicare cut to OTA services. Factors contributing to the pay differential include the variability in setting, as outpatient clinics may not offer the same incentives as hospitals, alongside weekend or PRN shifts often commanding a premium. To maximize earnings, COTAs in Dearborn might consider pursuing additional certifications or specializing in areas with higher demand, thereby enhancing their marketability in this competitive field.
More salary data for Dearborn, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Dearborn?
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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 $60,586 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Dearborn 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 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