Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Garden City, MI: $67,348 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Garden City, MI earns a median $67,348/year (≈ $32.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Garden City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $72,262 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Garden City is projected to reach $67,348, which is around 9.40% lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role in the city spans from $47,098 at the 10th percentile to $82,980 at the 90th percentile. These figures have been derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, which reflects a competitive yet nuanced job market for occupational therapy assistants. With only four professionals currently employed in this capacity, job opportunities can be somewhat limited, but the community's demand for therapy services remains a contributing factor to compensation structures.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,098 | $22.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,276 | $28.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,348 | $32.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,199 | $35.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,980 | $39.89 |
Median Salary Position
9.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
In Garden City, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,882 (2026 est.). At $67,348, the local median is 9.4% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden City: You'd be above the median
How Garden City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Garden City median: $67,348/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,288 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.40% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Garden City, MI earn a median of $67,348 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.40% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the Michigan state average of $69,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden City 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.
Garden City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,348 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,262 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,731
2025 BLS Actual
$65,507
2026 Current Est.
$67,348
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,731 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,213 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,714 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,986 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,507 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,348 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,240 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,731 (2019) to $65,507 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,240 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,509 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden City 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) | $47,098 – $60,276 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,276 – $67,348 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,348 – $74,199 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,199 – $82,980 |
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 Garden City
Examining the local job market, the cost of living index in Garden City stands at 93.2, indicating a favorable environment for take-home pay compared to national averages. In terms of compensation, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to pay higher salaries, while outpatient clinics and school districts generally offer less attractive packages. Factors like productivity expectations, weekend premiums, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut effect contribute to the variation in salaries. For occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize their earnings in Garden City, exploring positions in settings that remain resilient against these economic pressures, such as home health and inpatient services, may yield the best financial outcomes. Additionally, pursuing further credentials through pathways like the COTA-to-MOT bridge can enhance employability and salary prospects in a growing field.
More salary data for Garden City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Garden City, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Garden City?
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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 $65,507 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Garden City 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 Garden City 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