Occupational Therapy Degree in Detroit, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Occupational Therapy degree analysis for Detroit, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.2 yrs
in Detroit
Cost of Living
87
index (100 = avg)
Occupational Therapy in Detroit, MI Overview
Detroit is one of Michigan's top college towns, with 43 institutions and a student population of 57,362. Public tuition averages $14,568/year here — near the national average for public universities. Occupational Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Assessment and Treatment Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Detroit is approximately $43,500, growing to $67,860 by mid-career.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
43
Public Tuition
$14,568/yr
Private Tuition
$33,980/yr
Room & Board
$12,083/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,401/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Occupational Therapy Salary in Detroit (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Detroit's cost of living index of 87 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Occupational Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Detroit adjustment factor: 0.87x based on the local cost of living index.
Occupational Therapy ROI Calculator for Detroit
Estimate your return on investment for a Occupational Therapy degree using local Detroit tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,568 | Private avg: $33,980
Detroit avg aid: $15,401/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$106,604
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,050
vs HS diploma in Detroit
ROI Payback Period
8.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Detroit
$371,896
Lifetime earnings premium ($478,500) minus total education cost ($106,604)
Student Loan Payoff for Occupational Therapy in Detroit
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Detroit for Occupational Therapy
Wayne State University
public
$14,568/yr
$58,272 total
University of Detroit Mercy
private
$33,980/yr
$135,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Wayne County Community College
$4,296/yr
Top Employers for Occupational Therapy in Detroit
Detroit offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Occupational Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Detroit Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Occupational Therapy Job Titles
Occupational Therapy in Nearby Michigan Cities
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Detroit
Pharmacy
$44K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$59K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$44K starting · 4 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$44K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$44K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy Degree in Detroit — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Occupational Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Detroit.