Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kentwood, MI: $67,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Kentwood, MI earns a median $67,955/year (≈ $32.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Kentwood's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $72,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Kentwood, MI, can expect a median annual salary of approximately $67,955 in 2026, reflecting the impact of recent shifts in healthcare funding and service delivery systems. The pay range spans from $49,435 at the 10th percentile to $83,618 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant variability in compensation. The local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, consider regional cost adjustments that differentiate Kentwood from national salary standards. Compared to the national median of $74,332, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Kentwood are currently about 8.58% lower, a reality shaped partly by the post-Medicare cut landscape, which has particularly impacted skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings, leading to disparities across various employment contexts.
About the Kentwood Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,435 | $23.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,273 | $28.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,955 | $32.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,452 | $35.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,618 | $40.20 |
Median Salary Position
8.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kentwood
In Kentwood, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,183 (2026 est.). At $67,955, the local median is 8.58% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kentwood: You'd be above the median
How Kentwood Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Kentwood median: $67,955/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,272 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.58% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentwood, MI earn a median of $67,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.58% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.90% below the Michigan state average of $69,272.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kentwood 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.
Kentwood, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,955 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,913 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,234
2025 BLS Actual
$66,098
2026 Current Est.
$67,955
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,234 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,739 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,262 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,005 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,098 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentwood metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,234 (2019) to $66,098 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,631 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentwood 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) | $49,435 – $58,273 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,273 – $67,955 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,955 – $74,452 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,452 – $83,618 |
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 Kentwood
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Kentwood remains structured yet somewhat competitive, with only seven professionals currently employed in this field. The area's cost of living index stands at 93.2, which translates into a more favorable purchasing power for COTAs compared to many parts of the country. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer more competitive pay, while school districts generally provide lower compensation due to structured contracts and limited working seasons. Factors such as weekend or PRN premiums, expectations for productivity, and the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut influence the substantial wage spread observed in the area. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Kentwood, professionals may consider seeking positions in high-paying facilities, pursuing additional certifications, or exploring contract roles that allow for flexible hours and potential bonuses.
More salary data for Kentwood, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Kentwood, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Kentwood?
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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 $66,098 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Kentwood 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 Kentwood 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