State market profile
Michigan OT job market
Compare Michigan using BLS occupational therapist wage, employment, density, and concentration data from the May 2025 OEWS release, then review metro, school, and employer context.
State rank #30$89,150 mean wage5,120 OT jobs1.11 location quotient
Market snapshot
How Michigan compares for occupational therapists
The state score balances pay, role depth, role density, and occupational concentration. BLS wage and job-market measures stay visible so readers can understand the rank.
Our take
Michigan OT market assessment
Why it stands out
- BLS estimates 5,120 OT jobs statewide. That is enough depth to create real employer choice, though the strongest options may still cluster in a few metros.
- The 1.11 location quotient puts OT employment near the national concentration, so pay and employer quality matter more than occupational density alone.
- The mean and median wage are close, so the published average is reasonably representative of a typical OT job in the state.
Tradeoffs that matter
- At #30, the state trails more than half of the country on the combined pay, employment, density, and concentration score. A move here needs a specific employer or personal reason.
- Mean pay varies by $25,430 across the listed metros. The statewide rank hides a material location decision within the state.
What to compare next
- Compare the highest- and lowest-paying Michigan metros before using the statewide $89,910 median in an offer decision.
- Put Michigan beside New Jersey on job count and OT concentration; nearby ranks can be built from very different kinds of opportunity.
- Compare settings separately inside the state. A strong hospital market does not automatically mean equally strong school, outpatient, or home-health options.
How to read the numbers
What the state data means in practice
Statewide averages are a useful first comparison, but your decision still depends on the metro area, employer, clinical setting, and cost of living.
Pay shape
The mean and median wage are close, so the published average is reasonably representative of a typical OT job in the state.
Market depth
BLS estimates 5,120 OT jobs statewide. That is enough depth to create real employer choice, though the strongest options may still cluster in a few metros.
Role concentration
The 1.11 location quotient puts OT employment near the national concentration, so pay and employer quality matter more than occupational density alone.
Metro markets
Best Michigan metro markets for OTs
Metro rows help separate statewide strength from the cities where jobs, wages, and OT concentration are actually concentrated.
| Metro | Rank | Mean wage | Employment | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI Score 51.5 | #47 | $90,510 | 990 | 1.58 LQ; 1.65 per 1,000 jobs |
| Battle Creek, MI Score 49.9 | #63 | $95,060 | 110 | 1.94 LQ; 2.03 per 1,000 jobs |
| Bay City, MI Score 47.0 | #87 | $79,550 | 80 | 2.37 LQ; 2.48 per 1,000 jobs |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Score 46.0 | #97 | $90,000 | 2,030 | 1.02 LQ; 1.06 per 1,000 jobs |
| Traverse City, MI Score 43.6 | #124 | $88,760 | 120 | 1.70 LQ; 1.78 per 1,000 jobs |
| Ann Arbor, MI Score 41.8 | #146 | $92,050 | 280 | 1.23 LQ; 1.28 per 1,000 jobs |
| Saginaw, MI Score 40.7 | #166 | $103,380 | 90 | 1.09 LQ; 1.14 per 1,000 jobs |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI Score 37.2 | #224 | $83,490 | 100 | 1.50 LQ; 1.57 per 1,000 jobs |
| Flint, MI Score 35.3 | #248 | $85,680 | 160 | 1.16 LQ; 1.22 per 1,000 jobs |
| Midland, MI Score 34.0 | #262 | $77,950 | 60 | 1.62 LQ; 1.70 per 1,000 jobs |
Programs
OT and OTA programs in Michigan
Program supply matters for applicants, fieldwork access, and local clinical networks. These rows point to school profiles where available.
| Program | Location | Degree | NBCOT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia University Ann Arbor 50-74% distance; next review 2031/2032 | Ann Arbor, MI | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Saginaw Valley State University 1-24% distance; next review 2031/2032 | University Center, MI | OT Masters | 100% |
| Baker College of Owosso Campus-based; next review 2027/2028 | Owosso, MI | OTA Associate | 100% |
| Grand Rapids Community College 25-49% distance; next review 2033/2034 | Grand Rapids, MI | OTA Associate | 100% |
| Mott Community College 1-24% distance; next review 2026/2027 | Fenton, MI | OTA Associate | 100% |
| Western Michigan University Campus-based; next review 2030/2031 | Kalamazoo, MI | OTA Baccalaureate | 100% |
Compare states
Other strong OT state markets
Use peer states to check whether a relocation, school decision, or salary negotiation is anchored in the right labor-market comparison.
Rank #1
New Jersey
$110,150 mean wage; 6,290 OT jobs; 1.41 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #2California
$121,920 mean wage; 13,810 OT jobs; 0.73 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #3Massachusetts
$99,730 mean wage; 6,510 OT jobs; 1.71 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #4Connecticut
$102,140 mean wage; 3,150 OT jobs; 1.77 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #5Arkansas
$104,940 mean wage; 2,160 OT jobs; 1.59 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #6Colorado
$111,620 mean wage; 3,390 OT jobs; 1.13 location quotient.
Open state profile
Michigan is a fit-driven choice rather than a market-driven one at #30. The appeal is broad rather than salary-only: it combines a substantial employer base with at least average OT concentration. The $89,910 median is the better anchor for a typical offer than the higher or lower mean. Because the page includes 10 metros, the statewide result should be used to choose a region, not to value a specific offer.