Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Kentwood, MI: $32.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Kentwood, MI runs $32.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,955 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Kentwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,776 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Kentwood, Michigan is projected to be $32.67. This figure reflects a competitive rate compared to the national median hourly wage of $35.74. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to a consistent income while balancing other responsibilities. Those in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits, can expect entry-level hourly rates beginning around $23.77, with more seasoned practitioners earning up to $40.20 an hour. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates and illustrate the financial landscape for aspiring occupational therapy assistants in Kentwood.
About the Kentwood 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) | $23.77 | $190.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.02 | $224.13 |
| Median (P50) | $32.67 | $261.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.80 | $286.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.20 | $321.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kentwood
Based on $32.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.67/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kentwood, MI can expect to earn approximately $67,960 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,208. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kentwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kentwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,306.92 | $5,663 | $67,960 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $784.15 | $3,398 | $40,776 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.77 | $2,265 | $27,184 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Kentwood) | $32.67 |
| 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 Kentwood, MI earn a median of $67,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.58% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.90% below the Michigan state average of $69,272.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.67/hr = $40,776/year (purchasing power: $43,751).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,960/year (purchasing power: $72,918).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Kentwood grew 17.5% from $27.04/hr (2019) to $31.78/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.59/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 Kentwood 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 Kentwood
For those considering part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $40,831 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart earning a higher wage. In the per diem occupational therapy assistant pay Kentwood opportunities, positions may range between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering weekly compensation between $1,100 and $1,700. However, with the decline in agency premiums following the 15% Medicare cut in 2022, many COTAs are finding lower rates in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. Employer types heavily influence hourly rates; occupational therapy assistants in school districts may receive lower pay but often enjoy better benefits, presenting a common trade-off scenario. In Kentwood, negotiation skills can be vital—assessing the value of health benefits against the freedom of higher hourly wages without those perks can shape career choices significantly.
More salary data for Kentwood, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Kentwood in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Kentwood?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Kentwood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Kentwood?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kentwood?
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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 Kentwood. 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 Kentwood 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