OT Assistant Salary

Flint vs Lansing: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Flint, MI
$61,727
$29.68/hr
Lansing, MI
$70,152
$33.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlint, MILansing, MI
Median Salary$61,727$70,152
Hourly Rate$29.68$33.73
Entry Level (P10)$53,307$46,486
25th Percentile$53,605$61,257
75th Percentile$66,292$79,243
Top Earner (P90)$66,292$91,139
Total Employed4019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Flint ($61,727) and Lansing ($70,152) occupational therapy assistant salaries.FlintLansingMedian Salary$61,727$70,152Entry Level (P10)$53,307$46,486Top Earner (P90)$66,292$91,139US Median $74,332

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Flint.

The salary gap between Flint and Lansing is $8,425 (13.65%). Lansing's median is -5.62% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Flint spans $12,985,Lansing spans $44,653. Lansing has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Flint
P10 (Entry)$53,307
P25$53,605
Median$61,727
P75$66,292
P90 (Top)$66,292
Lansing
P10 (Entry)$46,486
P25$61,257
Median$70,152
P75$79,243
P90 (Top)$91,139

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($75,270 effective) pays 13.45% more than Flint ($66,349 effective).

Flint
Nominal: $61,727
CoL Index: 93.034
Adjusted: $66,349
Lansing
Nominal: $70,152
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $75,270

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Flint if…

  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,152/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,139)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,270)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Flint grew 0.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Lansing over the same period.

Flint, MI

+0.0%

$60,040 (2021) → $60,040 (2025)

Lansing, MI

+13.0%

$60,401 (2024) → $68,235 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Flint or Lansing?

Lansing has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $70,152/year, compared to Flint at $61,727/year — a difference of $8,425 (13.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Flint and Lansing?

Flint occupational therapy assistants earn $29.68/hr while Lansing hygienists earn $33.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Flint to Lansing as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Flint and Lansing. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Flint = $66,349, Lansing = $75,270), job availability (40 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Flint vs Lansing?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,307 in Flint and $46,486 in Lansing. The Flint 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