Occupational Therapist Salary in Detroit, MI
Occupational Therapists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median $89,600 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $68,306 take-home, or $5,692 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median occupational therapist salary in Detroit, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,882
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,555
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,299
- Michigan income tax$3,557
- Take-home pay$68,306
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.25% state
Occupational Therapist pay by experience in Detroit, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,580 | $32.01 | $53,090 | $4,424 |
| 25th percentile | $80,120 | $38.52 | $62,040 | $5,170 |
| Median (50th) | $89,600 | $43.08 | $68,306 | $5,692 |
| 75th percentile | $100,620 | $48.38 | $75,591 | $6,299 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,140 | $51.51 | $79,900 | $6,658 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $89,600 buys in Detroit, MI
Prices in Detroit, MI are 0.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 5% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median occupational therapist's $68,306 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,103 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Occupational Therapist jobs are about as common in Detroit, MI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for occupational therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Detroit, MI ranks #58 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $122,050 | $94,687 | $96,555 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $107,650 | $84,562 | $89,279 |
| 3 | Fayetteville, AR | $107,830 | $80,696 | $88,334 |
| 4 | Little Rock, AR | $104,680 | $78,603 | $87,958 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $110,520 | $86,581 | $86,395 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $103,840 | $79,808 | $86,099 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $136,870 | $94,538 | $85,614 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $103,080 | $77,254 | $85,450 |
| 58 | Detroit, MI | $89,600 | $68,306 | $68,103 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
Occupational Therapist salaries elsewhere in Michigan
- Grand Rapids, MI — $94,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Detroit, MI?
The median occupational therapist salary in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $89,600 a year, or about $43.08 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,120 and $100,620.
What is a occupational therapist’s take-home pay in Detroit, MI?
On the median $89,600 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $68,306 a year ($5,692 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,557 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $100,330. Local prices are 0.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,103 would in a typical U.S. city. Detroit, MI ranks #58 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a occupational therapist afford rent in Detroit, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Detroit, MI is $1,128 a month ($1,413 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median occupational therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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