Occupational Therapist Pay

Evansville vs Michigan City: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Evansville, IN and Michigan City, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evansville, IN
$92,599
$44.52/hr
Michigan City, IN
$91,510
$44.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvansville, INMichigan City, IN
Median Salary$92,599$91,510
Hourly Rate$44.52$44.00
Entry Level (P10)$71,307$68,575
25th Percentile$80,170$76,577
75th Percentile$102,596$106,505
Top Earner (P90)$116,334$115,640
Total Employed2806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evansville ($92,599) and Michigan City ($91,510) occupational therapist salaries.EvansvilleMichigan CityMedian Salary$92,599$91,510Entry Level (P10)$71,307$68,575Top Earner (P90)$116,334$115,640US Median $103,400

Verdict

Evansville, IN offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Michigan City.

The salary gap between Evansville and Michigan City is $1,089 (1.19%). Evansville's median is -10.45% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evansville spans $45,027,Michigan City spans $47,065. Michigan City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Evansville
P10 (Entry)$71,307
P25$80,170
Median$92,599
P75$102,596
P90 (Top)$116,334
Michigan City
P10 (Entry)$68,575
P25$76,577
Median$91,510
P75$106,505
P90 (Top)$115,640

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Evansville ($101,170 effective) pays 0.94% more than Michigan City ($100,230 effective).

Evansville
Nominal: $92,599
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $101,170
Michigan City
Nominal: $91,510
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $100,230

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evansville if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,599/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,334)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,170)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Michigan City if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Evansville grew 23.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.2% growth in Michigan City over the same period.

Evansville, IN

+23.7%

$72,660 (2019) → $89,850 (2025)

Michigan City, IN

+16.2%

$76,409 (2024) → $88,793 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Evansville or Michigan City?

Evansville has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $92,599/year, compared to Michigan City at $91,510/year — a difference of $1,089 (1.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evansville and Michigan City?

Evansville occupational therapists earn $44.52/hr while Michigan City hygienists earn $44.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evansville to Michigan City as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evansville and Michigan City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evansville = $101,170, Michigan City = $100,230), job availability (280 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Evansville vs Michigan City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $71,307 in Evansville and $68,575 in Michigan City. The Evansville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov