Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $69,181 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $69,181/year (≈ $33.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $72,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, MI, the projected annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant stands at $69,181 in 2026, which is about 6.93% lower than the national median of $74,332. Salaries in this field fall within a wide range, with the lowest 10% earning around $53,492 and the highest 90% reaching up to $81,539. These figures derive from thorough BLS OEWS surveys and reflect the prevailing salary conditions within the city’s unique healthcare settings. Given the recent Medicare cuts impacting reimbursement rates, especially in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the compensation landscape is evolving, particularly for those involved in therapy services impacted by these changes.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,492 | $25.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,501 | $29.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,181 | $33.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,181 | $33.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,539 | $39.20 |
Median Salary Position
6.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,047 (2026 est.). At $69,181, the local median is 6.93% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Grand Rapids Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $69,181/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,250 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.93% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $69,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% below the Michigan state average of $69,250.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,181 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,406 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,890
2025 BLS Actual
$67,290
2026 Current Est.
$69,181
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,181 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 32.2% from $50,890 (2019) to $67,290 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,235 (39.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $53,492 – $61,501 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,501 – $69,181 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,181 – $69,181 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,181 – $81,539 |
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 Grand Rapids
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Grand Rapids is supported by a workforce of approximately 370 COTAs, providing a solid foundation for employment opportunities. With a cost-of-living index at 95.546, professionals in this area enjoy an advantage in purchasing power compared to many national benchmarks. Employers often pay higher rates for OTAs working in hospital inpatient rehab settings, reflective of the greater complexity and intensity of care required. Contrastingly, positions in schools and SNFs tend to offer lower wages due to factors like the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut and productivity expectations. To maximize earnings, COTAs may consider seeking roles in outpatient clinics or home health agencies, where the pay potential is higher and can be enhanced further through weekend shifts or PRN positions. Additionally, pursuing advanced credentials or moving toward a Master's degree through a COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway could open doors to increased salary prospects in the long run.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Grand Rapids, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Grand Rapids?
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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 $67,290 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Grand Rapids 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