Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Muskegon, MI: $63,958 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Muskegon, MI earns a median $63,958/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Muskegon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $69,130 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant salary in Muskegon is projected to reach a median annual figure of $63,958, reflecting the realities of a local healthcare market shaped by significant structural divides among skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals. With a salary range spanning from $51,282 at the 10th percentile to $74,105 at the 90th percentile, the compensation landscape is notably below the national median of $74,332. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight how post-Medicare cuts have pressured wages within certain settings, particularly in SNFs and outpatient clinics. As the local market adapts, the role of occupational therapy assistants is increasingly crucial in various care environments, where demand patterns will continue to evolve.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,282 | $24.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,656 | $27.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,958 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,958 | $30.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,105 | $35.62 |
Median Salary Position
13.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muskegon
In Muskegon, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,823 (2026 est.). At $63,958, the local median is 13.96% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muskegon: You'd be above the median
How Muskegon Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Muskegon median: $63,958/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muskegon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,294 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.96% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Muskegon, MI earn a median of $63,958 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.96% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.70% below the Michigan state average of $69,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muskegon has a cost of living 7.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Muskegon, MI has a cost-of-living index of 92.519 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,958 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,130 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.09% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$52,926
2025 BLS Actual
$62,210
2026 Current Est.
$63,958
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Muskegon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,926 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,156 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,658 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,134 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,958 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muskegon metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,926 (2019) to $62,210 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,829 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muskegon 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) | $51,282 – $57,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,656 – $63,958 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,958 – $63,958 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,958 – $74,105 |
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 Muskegon
In Muskegon, the prospects for occupational therapy assistants are shaped by a local employment figure of 40 COTAs, which provides a modest picture of the market's capacity. The cost of living index stands at 92.519, indicating that although salaries may be lower than national averages, purchasing power can remain stable, offering a relatively affordable lifestyle. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities tend to offer higher pay compared to their counterparts in skilled nursing facilities and schools. Factors influencing the salary spread include workplace expectations, varying contract types like year-round versus school-year positions, and the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on sector profitability. For COTAs navigating Muskegon’s job market, pursuing opportunities in high-demand settings or seeking additional certifications, such as a COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway, can maximize earning potential and enhance career opportunities.
More salary data for Muskegon, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Muskegon, MI in 2026?
Is Muskegon, MI a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Muskegon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Muskegon?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Muskegon?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $62,210 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Muskegon 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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