Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Detroit, MI: $62,611 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Detroit, MI earns a median $62,611/year (≈ $30.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Detroit's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $62,425 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in Detroit, Michigan is set at $62,611, which signifies a noticeable gap compared to the national median of $74,332. This salary range varies significantly, with the lower end at $53,739 and the upper limit reaching $92,025. Such compensation figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect the city's unique healthcare demands and varying productivity expectations within occupational therapy practices. Factors affecting earnings in this market include the frequency of patient visits per day and the setting in which COTAs provide their services, which ultimately shapes income potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,739 | $25.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,843 | $29.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,611 | $30.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,938 | $37.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,025 | $44.25 |
Median Salary Position
15.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Detroit
In Detroit, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,286 (2026 est.). At $62,611, the local median is 15.77% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Detroit: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Detroit Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Detroit median: $62,611/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Detroit Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,260 | -9.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.77% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Detroit, MI earn a median of $62,611 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.77% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 9.60% below the Michigan state average of $69,260.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Detroit has a cost of living 0.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Detroit, MI has a cost-of-living index of 100.298 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,611 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,425 — a 0.3% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,720
2025 BLS Actual
$60,900
2026 Current Est.
$62,611
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Detroit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,611 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,371 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Detroit metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 13.4% from $53,720 (2019) to $60,900 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,371 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,651 (19.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Detroit 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) | $53,739 – $60,843 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,843 – $62,611 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,611 – $78,938 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,938 – $92,025 |
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 Detroit
With approximately 470 occupational therapy assistants actively employed in the Detroit area, job market dynamics play a vital role in setting salary standards. The cost of living index for Detroit sits at 100.298, slightly above the national average, impacting take-home pay for workers in this field. In terms of compensation, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the most lucrative positions, while school districts and outpatient clinics may provide less. The disparity in wages is influenced by various factors, including the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut initiated in 2022, expectations for productivity, and employment contracts that vary between school-year and year-round commitments. Occupational therapy assistants seeking to optimize their pay should consider specializing in high-demand settings or pursuing advanced certifications that can enhance marketability and reflect positively on their compensation.
More salary data for Detroit, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Detroit?
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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 $60,900 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Detroit 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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