Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Shelby Township, MI: $69,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Shelby Township, MI earns a median $69,855/year (≈ $33.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Shelby Township's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $74,952 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Shelby Township, Michigan, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $69,855 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $74,332, reflecting the local economic conditions and cost of living adjustments in the area. The salary range for these professionals varies widely, with entry-level positions beginning at $49,280 and more experienced assistants earning up to $86,761. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data, highlight the potential for substantial earnings based on experience and specialized settings, indicating a robust market for occupational therapy services within the township.
About the Shelby Township Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,749 | $28.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,855 | $33.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,802 | $36.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,761 | $41.71 |
Median Salary Position
6.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelby Township
In Shelby Township, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,481 (2026 est.). At $69,855, the local median is 6.02% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Shelby Township: You'd be above the median
How Shelby Township Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Shelby Township median: $69,855/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelby Township Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,301 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.02% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Shelby Township, MI earn a median of $69,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.02% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% above the Michigan state average of $69,301.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelby Township 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.
Shelby Township, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,855 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,952 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,806
2025 BLS Actual
$67,946
2026 Current Est.
$69,855
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Shelby Township (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,975 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,145 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,946 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,818 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelby Township metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,806 (2019) to $67,946 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,818 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,012 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelby Township 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) | $49,280 – $58,749 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,749 – $69,855 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,855 – $76,802 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,802 – $86,761 |
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 Shelby Township
As of now, there are 21 occupational therapy assistants employed within Shelby Township, MI, contributing to a competitive job market. The cost of living index at 93.2 suggests that while salaries may lag slightly behind national averages, professionals can maintain a favorable purchasing power. Employers across various settings—including skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab—tend to offer higher pay, particularly with the increased productivity expectations and available weekend or PRN premiums. The impact of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut complicates pay scales, making it vital for COTAs to consider contractual settings and work year-round for optimal earnings. To maximize salaries in this area, focusing on additional certifications, gaining experience in diverse environments, and pursuing the COTA-to-MOT bridge can significantly enhance career trajectories and lifetime earnings.
More salary data for Shelby Township, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Shelby Township, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Shelby Township?
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How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Shelby Township?
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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 $67,946 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Shelby Township 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 Shelby Township 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