Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ferndale, MI: $65,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ferndale, MI earns a median $65,743/year (≈ $31.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ferndale's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $70,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Ferndale, MI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,743 in 2026. The salary range for this profession spans from $48,336 at the lower end to $75,488 at the upper end, reflecting the reality of different employment settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for local cost variances in the Ferndale region. As the landscape for occupational therapy evolves, the divergence in pay is increasingly influenced by factors like the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, making it crucial for COTAs to consider which environments best support their financial objectives.
About the Ferndale Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,336 | $23.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,298 | $27.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,743 | $31.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,491 | $33.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,488 | $36.29 |
Median Salary Position
11.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ferndale
In Ferndale, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,152 (2026 est.). At $65,743, the local median is 11.55% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Ferndale: You'd be above the median
How Ferndale Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ferndale median: $65,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ferndale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,276 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.55% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ferndale, MI earn a median of $65,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.55% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.10% below the Michigan state average of $69,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ferndale 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.
Ferndale, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,743 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,540 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,403
2025 BLS Actual
$63,946
2026 Current Est.
$65,743
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ferndale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,403 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,668 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,597 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,826 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,267 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,605 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,946 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,590 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ferndale metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,403 (2019) to $63,946 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,590 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,187 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ferndale 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) | $48,336 – $56,298 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,298 – $65,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,743 – $69,491 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,491 – $75,488 |
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 Ferndale
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Ferndale employs only five occupational therapy assistants, positioning the area as relatively niche compared to larger markets. With a cost of living index of 93.2, the purchasing power for COTAs in Ferndale may be slightly more favorable than in higher-cost areas, but it still shapes salary expectations. Among the employers in the area, skilled nursing facilities typically yield higher pay due to their higher productivity demands and weekend premiums, whereas school positions might offer more stability but less income over the year. The striking disparity in compensation can often be traced to the work setting and contract terms. To boost earnings, occupational therapy assistants should consider diversifying their experience and taking on PRN roles, potentially bridging into more lucrative positions while navigating the changes in reimbursement policies.
More salary data for Ferndale, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ferndale, MI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Ferndale?
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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 $63,946 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ferndale 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 Ferndale 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