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Occupational Therapist Salary in Detroit, Michigan

Updated 2026-04-06BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$81,998/ year

Median Occupational Therapist in Detroit, MI

$49,069
10th
$59,840
25th
$81,998
Median
$105,599
75th
$128,831
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$81,998
Total compensation (est.)
$94,298
Bonus range
$3,400 – $14,400
Mean salary
$86,918

How This Compares

Detroit, MI median
$81,998
Michigan median
$95,044-13.7%
National median
$93,180-12.0%

Cost of living in Detroit is 12% below the national average. Salary of $81,998 here is equivalent to $93,180 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$59,039-28.0%
3-5 years
$74,618-9.0%
6-10 years
$91,838+12.0%
10+ years
$113,157+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$72,158-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$81,998
Enterprise (5,000+)
$96,758+18.0%

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Occupational Therapist Salaries in Nearby Cities

Grand Rapids, MI$93,180/yr
Warren, MI$93,180/yr
Sterling Heights, MI$93,180/yr
Ann Arbor, MI$93,180/yr
Lansing, MI$93,180/yr

Related Jobs in Detroit

Registered Nurse$71,474/yr
Nurse Practitioner$109,718/yr
Physician Assistant$110,889/yr
Physical Therapist$85,994/yr
Pharmacist$116,820/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$39/hr
Monthly gross$6,833/mo
25th percentile$59,840/yr
75th percentile$105,599/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Michigan Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.0%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Occupational Therapist Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in Detroit?

The median Occupational Therapist salary in Detroit is $81,998 per year, with a range from $59,840 at the 25th percentile to $105,599 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Occupational Therapist pay in Detroit compare to the national average?

Occupational Therapist salaries in Detroit are 12% below the national median of $93,180. After adjusting for Detroit's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $93,180 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Occupational Therapist salaries in Detroit?

In Detroit, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Occupational Therapist roles start around $49,069, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $128,831 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Detroit a good place for Occupational Therapist jobs?

Detroit offers a Occupational Therapist median of $81,998, which is 12% below the US median of $93,180. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Detroit is 12% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Occupational Therapist salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Occupational Therapist in Detroit is $105,599, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.