Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Waterford, MI: $67,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Waterford, MI earns a median $67,606/year (≈ $32.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Waterford's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $72,539 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Waterford, MI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $67,606 in 2026, reflecting a challenging balance between employment settings in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals amidst recent Medicare cuts. With a salary range spanning from $49,553 at the 10th percentile to $83,826 at the 90th, the local market demonstrates variability based on factors like setting and patient productivity expectations. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost structures, highlight that the compensation remains about 9.05% lower than the national median of $74,332. As the job market is currently supported by 16 occupational therapy assistants, professionals must navigate these realities as they seek opportunities within Waterford.
About the Waterford Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,553 | $23.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,252 | $28.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,606 | $32.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,244 | $35.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,826 | $40.30 |
Median Salary Position
9.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterford
In Waterford, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,273 (2026 est.). At $67,606, the local median is 9.05% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Waterford: You'd be above the median
How Waterford Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Waterford median: $67,606/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,268 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.05% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waterford, MI earn a median of $67,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.05% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $69,268.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterford 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.
Waterford, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,606 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,539 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,944
2025 BLS Actual
$65,758
2026 Current Est.
$67,606
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waterford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,944 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,245 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,144 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,947 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,208 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,758 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,506 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterford metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,944 (2019) to $65,758 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,506 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,562 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterford 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) | $49,553 – $58,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,252 – $67,606 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,606 – $74,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,244 – $83,826 |
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 Waterford
In evaluating the local job market, the current cost-of-living index of 93.2 suggests that occupational therapy assistant pay in Waterford, MI, offers a more favorable purchasing power compared to higher-cost regions. Those employed in hospitals typically command the highest wages, as inpatient rehabilitation settings often yield better compensation than roles in SNFs or schools, particularly following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that began in 2022. Productivity expectations significantly influence the pay spread; while school-year contracts may provide consistent hours, they often lag behind year-round positions in terms of salary. To maximize earning potential, professionals should consider seeking roles in outpatient clinics or home health agencies, where flexible scheduling and weekend work could also offer pay premiums. As the field continues to evolve and compensation structures adjust, understanding these factors is key for occupational therapy assistants contemplating their career trajectories in Waterford.
More salary data for Waterford, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Waterford?
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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 $65,758 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Waterford 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 Waterford 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