Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Novi, MI: $67,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Novi, MI earns a median $67,710/year (≈ $32.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Novi's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $72,650 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Novi, Michigan, occupational therapy assistants can expect a median annual salary of $67,710 in 2026. This figure represents a noticeable divergence from the national median, which stands at $74,332, reflecting the economic realities post-Medicare cuts in 2022. The salary range for local occupational therapy assistants spans from $49,794 at the 10th percentile to $84,161 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variance in compensation depending on experience and setting. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reveal the challenges faced in settings such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient clinics, especially as they adapt to ongoing reimbursement changes. With only 12 occupational therapy assistants employed in the area, opportunities in Novi may require a proactive approach to job placement and negotiation strategies.
About the Novi Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,794 | $23.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,465 | $28.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,710 | $32.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,482 | $35.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,161 | $40.47 |
Median Salary Position
8.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Novi
In Novi, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,367 (2026 est.). At $67,710, the local median is 8.91% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Novi: You'd be above the median
How Novi Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Novi median: $67,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Novi Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,304 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.91% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Novi, MI earn a median of $67,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.91% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the Michigan state average of $69,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Novi 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.
Novi, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,650 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,030
2025 BLS Actual
$65,859
2026 Current Est.
$67,710
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Novi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,333 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,231 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,526 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,298 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,859 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,612 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Novi metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,030 (2019) to $65,859 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,612 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,582 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Novi 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) | $49,794 – $58,465 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,465 – $67,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,710 – $74,482 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,482 – $84,161 |
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 Novi
Within the context of Novi, the local job market remains competitive, but the cost of living index is advantageous at 93.2, slightly below the national average, which can enhance take-home pay for occupational therapy assistants. Hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings typically offer the highest wages, followed closely by outpatient clinics, compared to the often lower salaries found in school districts due to contractual terms and service demands. Factors contributing to the earnings spread include varying productivity expectations, service delivery settings, and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has impacted compensation across the board. With current trends indicating a projected growth rate of 2.81% annually, it becomes crucial for aspiring occupational therapy assistants in Novi to seek out positions that maximize pay potential through continued education pathways, such as COTA-to-MOT transitions, and to stay informed about shifts in the local healthcare market.
More salary data for Novi, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Novi, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Novi?
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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 $65,859 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Novi 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 Novi 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