Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Westland, MI: $69,525 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Westland, MI earns a median $69,525/year (≈ $33.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Westland's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $74,598 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Westland, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $69,525 in 2026, reflecting a moderate deviation from the national average of $74,332. The salary range in this region extends from $48,513 at the 10th percentile to $83,148 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the varying compensation levels across different healthcare settings. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations, offering insights into the economic landscape for COTAs operating within this market. With skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and educational institutions as primary employers, the job market for occupational therapy assistants in Westland presents unique challenges, particularly in light of recent Medicare cuts affecting reimbursement rates.
About the Westland Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,513 | $23.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,525 | $33.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,517 | $35.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,148 | $39.97 |
Median Salary Position
6.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westland
In Westland, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,635 (2026 est.). At $69,525, the local median is 6.47% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Westland: You'd be above the median
How Westland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Westland median: $69,525/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,248 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.47% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Westland, MI earn a median of $69,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.47% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% above the Michigan state average of $69,248.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westland 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.
Westland, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,525 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,598 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,533
2025 BLS Actual
$67,625
2026 Current Est.
$69,525
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Westland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,533 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,738 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,096 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,677 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,862 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,525 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,479 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,533 (2019) to $67,625 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,479 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,946 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westland 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) | $48,513 – $58,070 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,070 – $69,525 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,525 – $74,517 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,517 – $83,148 |
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 Westland
In Westland, the employment scene for occupational therapy assistants features around 14 professionals currently working in the area. Given the local cost-of-living index of 93.2, which is below the national average, residents may find that their earnings stretch further. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers generally provide the most competitive compensation, particularly given the industry dynamics influenced by the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursement for OTA services that took effect in 2022. This cut has affected salaries across many outpatient clinics and SNFs, resulting in lower pay in those settings. In contrast, those working in school districts or home health agencies may see a more structured pay scale, but often with reduced hours unique to the school year. For occupational therapy assistants in Westland, maximizing potential pay may involve pursuing roles in more lucrative settings and considering opportunities for overtime or weekend work, which can yield higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Westland, 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 $67,625 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Westland 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 Westland 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