OT Assistant Salary

Detroit vs Holland: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Detroit, MI and Holland, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$62,611
$30.10/hr
Holland, MI
$66,202
$31.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIHolland, MI
Median Salary$62,611$66,202
Hourly Rate$30.10$31.83
Entry Level (P10)$53,739$49,685
25th Percentile$60,843$57,873
75th Percentile$78,938$71,561
Top Earner (P90)$92,025$79,552
Total Employed4705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($62,611) and Holland ($66,202) occupational therapy assistant salaries.DetroitHollandMedian Salary$62,611$66,202Entry Level (P10)$53,739$49,685Top Earner (P90)$92,025$79,552US Median $74,332

Verdict

Detroit and Holland are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Detroit and Holland is $3,591 (5.74%). Holland's median is -10.94% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $38,286,Holland spans $29,867. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$53,739
P25$60,843
Median$62,611
P75$78,938
P90 (Top)$92,025
Holland
P10 (Entry)$49,685
P25$57,873
Median$66,202
P75$71,561
P90 (Top)$79,552

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Holland ($71,032 effective) pays 13.79% more than Detroit ($62,425 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $62,611
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $62,425
Holland
Nominal: $66,202
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $71,032

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,025)
  • Larger job market (470 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Holland if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,202/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,032)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Detroit grew 13.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Holland over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+13.4%

$53,720 (2019) → $60,900 (2025)

Holland, MI

+13.0%

$57,000 (2024) → $64,393 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Detroit or Holland?

Holland has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $66,202/year, compared to Detroit at $62,611/year — a difference of $3,591 (5.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Holland?

Detroit occupational therapy assistants earn $30.10/hr while Holland hygienists earn $31.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Holland as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Holland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $62,425, Holland = $71,032), job availability (470 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Detroit vs Holland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,739 in Detroit and $49,685 in Holland. The Detroit area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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