Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Monroe, MI: $42.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Monroe, MI runs $42.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,374 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,425 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Monroe, Michigan, the **occupational therapist hourly pay** is projected to be **$42.01** in 2026, which sits notably below the national median hourly rate of **$49.71**. This figure significantly influences part-time and per-diem workers who frequent varied therapeutic settings such as hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and school therapy rooms. For a part-time occupational therapist working three days a week, or about 24 hours, this hourly rate translates to an annual income that may slightly increase as they navigate their schedules and client caseloads. Entry-level therapists in Monroe can expect to earn around **$31.92** per hour, while top earners can achieve rates as high as **$50.57**, reflecting the full range of experience and specialization available within this profession, according to the official BLS hourly data from 2025, projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.92 | $255.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.40 | $307.20 |
| Median (P50) | $42.01 | $336.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.99 | $399.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.57 | $404.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $42.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.01/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, MI can expect to earn approximately $87,375 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,409. With a cost-of-living index of 93.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,680.29 | $7,281 | $87,375 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,008.17 | $4,369 | $52,425 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $672.12 | $2,913 | $34,950 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Monroe) | $42.01 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Monroe, MI earn a median of $87,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.50% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 0.90% below the Michigan state average of $88,168.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.01/hr = $52,425/year (purchasing power: $56,074).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,375/year (purchasing power: $93,457).
CoL index: 93.492 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Monroe grew 18.1% from $34.51/hr (2019) to $40.76/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapist in Monroe
The financial dynamics for an occupational therapist in Monroe can vary considerably based on scheduling and practice area. For those considering part-time positions, working three days a week could yield about **$52,874** annually, which may be significantly lower than full-time counterparts. Per diem occupational therapist pay in Monroe often ranges between **$50** and **$75** per hour, with specialty credentials like the CHT allowing hand therapists to command rates between **$80** and **$110** in cash-pay settings. Additionally, travel contracts frequently offer weekly compensation as high as **$2,800**, illustrating a lucrative option for therapists who can venture outside their local environment. Moreover, the type of employer influences hourly rates; those in skilled nursing facilities and school districts are likely to see different pay scales than their peers in outpatient clinics or mental health facilities. When negotiating hourly pay, therapists may need to weigh the benefits of job security and insurance against the higher pay of less stable positions, ensuring they choose the path that best aligns with their career goals.
More salary data for Monroe, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Monroe in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Monroe?
Are occupational therapists in Monroe paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Monroe?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Monroe?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Monroe. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov