Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ypsilanti, MI: $64,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ypsilanti, MI earns a median $64,436/year (≈ $30.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ypsilanti's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $69,137 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Ypsilanti, Michigan, earn a median annual salary of $64,436, which falls notably below the national figure of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $50,657 at the lower end to $77,768 at the high end, demonstrating a degree of variability based on experience, setting, and job demands. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, reflecting a market that remains accessible yet competitive. The productivity expectations in Ypsilanti are shaped by the number of therapy visits that assistants can handle each day, influencing compensation structures.
About the Ypsilanti Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,657 | $24.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,565 | $27.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,436 | $30.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,257 | $33.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,768 | $37.39 |
Median Salary Position
13.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ypsilanti
In Ypsilanti, MI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,111 (2026 est.). At $64,436, the local median is 13.31% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Ypsilanti Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ypsilanti median: $64,436/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ypsilanti Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,286 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.31% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ypsilanti, MI earn a median of $64,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.31% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.00% below the Michigan state average of $69,286.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ypsilanti 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.
Ypsilanti, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,436 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,137 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,321
2025 BLS Actual
$62,675
2026 Current Est.
$64,436
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ypsilanti (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,321 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,561 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,512 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,697 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,089 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,479 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,675 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,247 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ypsilanti metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,321 (2019) to $62,675 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,247 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,926 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ypsilanti 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) | $50,657 – $57,565 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,565 – $64,436 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,436 – $70,257 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,257 – $77,768 |
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 Ypsilanti
Examining the local job market, Ypsilanti employs only four occupational therapy assistants, which can suggest a more concentrated competition for available roles. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, living expenses in Ypsilanti are lower than the national average, impacting the real purchasing power of take-home salaries. Among local employers, outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities are typically at the forefront of pay, with hospital inpatient rehab often providing the highest compensation packages. The spread between lower and higher salaries is influenced by various factors, including the settings where COTAs work, productivity expectations, and effects from the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Strategies such as seeking roles in hospitals or outpatient facilities, emphasizing productivity, and considering year-round positions can help occupational therapy assistants maximize their pay in the Ypsilanti MI market.
More salary data for Ypsilanti, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ypsilanti, MI in 2026?
Is Ypsilanti, MI a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Ypsilanti?
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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 $62,675 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti 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