Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lansing, MI: $70,152 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lansing, MI earns a median $70,152/year (≈ $33.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lansing's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $75,270 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Lansing, MI, can anticipate a median annual salary of $70,152 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly from $46,486 at the 10th percentile to $91,139 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide disparity in pay based on experience, setting, and specific job duties. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect a growing demand for COTAs in the area, contributing to an overall positive job outlook despite a competitive landscape.
About the Lansing Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,486 | $22.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,257 | $29.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,152 | $33.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,243 | $38.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,139 | $43.82 |
Median Salary Position
5.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lansing
In Lansing, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,653 (2026 est.). At $70,152, the local median is 5.62% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lansing: You'd be above the median
How Lansing Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lansing median: $70,152/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lansing Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,252 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -5.62% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lansing, MI earn a median of $70,152 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.62% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% above the Michigan state average of $69,252.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lansing 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.
Lansing, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $70,152 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,270 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,052
2025 BLS Actual
$68,235
2026 Current Est.
$70,152
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,052 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,401 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,259 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,638 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,401 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,235 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,152 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,124 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lansing metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $58,052 (2019) to $68,235 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,124 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,072 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lansing 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) | $46,486 – $61,257 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,257 – $70,152 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,152 – $79,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,243 – $91,139 |
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 Lansing
With only 19 occupational therapy assistants employed in Lansing, the local job market is relatively small but offers unique opportunities for practitioners. The cost of living in Lansing, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 93.2, allows for reasonable purchasing power with the average salary. Among various settings, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab often offer higher pay compared to school contracts or outpatient clinics, mainly due to the intensity of care required. Factors such as productivity expectations, weekend premiums, and the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement reduction further affect pay scales, driving a variance between lower-tier and higher-tier roles. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Lansing, focusing on experience in high-demand settings, pursuing advanced certifications, and negotiating contracts strategically can prove beneficial in this evolving market.
More salary data for Lansing, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Lansing, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Lansing?
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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 $68,235 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lansing 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 Lansing 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