Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in East Lansing, MI: $32.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in East Lansing, MI runs $32.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,632 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against East Lansing's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,980 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Lansing, Michigan, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected at $32.04 in 2026, which is below the national hourly median of $35.74. This means that those working part-time, say three days a week, can expect to earn around $1,040 weekly, or about $54,080 annually, emphasizing the potential for flexible work schedules in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school therapy rooms. The hourly pay range for this profession varies significantly from entry-level positions starting around $24.52 (P10) to top-earning professionals making $40.02 (P90), allowing a diverse array of employment opportunities based on experience and specialization. The figures presented here are derived from annual salary data but offer a robust view into the hourly compensation trends shaping the field.
About the East Lansing Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.52 | $196.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.25 | $226.02 |
| Median (P50) | $32.04 | $256.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.67 | $269.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.02 | $320.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Lansing
Based on $32.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.04/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Lansing, MI can expect to earn approximately $66,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,443. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in East Lansing.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Lansing
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,281.42 | $5,553 | $66,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $768.85 | $3,332 | $39,980 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $512.57 | $2,221 | $26,654 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (East Lansing) | $32.04 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in East Lansing, MI earn a median of $66,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.80% below the Michigan state average of $69,264.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.04/hr = $39,980/year (purchasing power: $42,897).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,634/year (purchasing power: $71,496).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in East Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in East Lansing grew 17.5% from $26.51/hr (2019) to $31.16/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Lansing 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in East Lansing
Focusing on the part-time earning potential, an occupational therapy assistant working a 24-hour week could take home approximately $54,080 annually. If considering per-diem or agency positions, COTAs often find themselves billing between $30 to $45 per hour, depending on demand and the setting. Travel contracts may also present lucrative options, with weekly payments ranging from $1,100 to $1,700, although the effects of post-2022 reimbursement cuts linger, impacting skilled nursing facility roles. In East Lansing, hourly rates can also differ based on employer type; skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates while outpatient clinics and home health agencies might compensate better due to higher demand. Those in the field often face the choice between lower hourly wages accompanied by health benefits versus higher pay that lacks such coverage. For negotiations, especially with the backdrop of ongoing Medicare cuts, it's wise to emphasize unique skill sets to potentially secure a more favorable hourly rate.
More salary data for East Lansing, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in East Lansing in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in East Lansing?
Are occupational therapy assistants in East Lansing paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in East Lansing?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in East Lansing?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in East Lansing. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for East Lansing 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