Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Norton Shores, MI: $65,516 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Norton Shores, MI earns a median $65,516/year (≈ $31.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Norton Shores's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $70,296 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, COTA professionals in Norton Shores can expect to see a median annual compensation of $65,516, which reflects a competitive local market but remains below the national median of $74,332. The salary spectrum for occupational therapy assistants in this Michigan city ranges from $49,820 at the 10th percentile to $74,962 at the 90th percentile, highlighting variations influenced by experience, workplace setting, and service demand. These salary figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, consider local economic factors, including a cost of living index of 93.2, which is lower than the national average. This suggests that while salaries might be slightly diminished when compared to the broader national statistics, the relative purchasing power could provide a balanced living experience in Norton Shores's job market.
About the Norton Shores Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,825 | $26.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,516 | $31.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,891 | $33.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,962 | $36.03 |
Median Salary Position
11.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norton Shores
In Norton Shores, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,142 (2026 est.). At $65,516, the local median is 11.86% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Norton Shores: You'd be above the median
How Norton Shores Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Norton Shores median: $65,516/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norton Shores Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,255 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.86% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Norton Shores, MI earn a median of $65,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.86% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.40% below the Michigan state average of $69,255.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norton Shores 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.
Norton Shores, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,516 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,296 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,215
2025 BLS Actual
$63,725
2026 Current Est.
$65,516
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Norton Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,475 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,062 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,725 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,516 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,357 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norton Shores metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,215 (2019) to $63,725 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,357 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,142 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norton Shores 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) | $49,820 – $55,825 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,825 – $65,516 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,516 – $68,891 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,891 – $74,962 |
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 Norton Shores
With only four occupational therapy assistants employed in the Norton Shores area, job prospects for COTAs can be competitive yet promising. The cost of living, represented by the lower index, means that the relatively stable salaries may afford a decent quality of life despite the lower pay compared to national standards. Skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics typically offer the highest wages, but the disparity in pay is also driven by the complexities of workplace demands, including the influence of Medicare reimbursement rates and the recent 15% cut on services. To maximize earning potential, occupational therapy assistants should consider expanding their skills through COTA-to-MOT bridge programs, directly enhancing their qualifications while navigating towards more lucrative settings like hospitals or specialized clinics that may offer incentives for weekend or PRN work. Prioritizing these strategies can enable COTAs in Norton Shores, MI, to better align their careers with their financial goals.
More salary data for Norton Shores, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,725 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Norton Shores 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 Norton Shores 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