Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Green Bay, WI: $46,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Green Bay, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $46,563 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Green Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,021 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,890) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, new graduates pursuing a career as occupational therapy assistants can expect a starting occupational therapy assistant salary around $46,563 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $58,890, highlighting the realities of entry-level positions in the field. Career advancement is possible as entry-level salaries can realistically rise from this initial amount to $49,339 at the 25th percentile and eventually approach the median within three to five years. Given the projected growth rate of 2.81% for the occupational therapy assistant profession, Green Bay presents a stable market for new grads seeking employment in this rewarding healthcare sector, especially with the rising demand for rehabilitation services in diverse settings.
Career Earnings Timeline in Green Bay
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Green Bay
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Green Bay, WI typically start between $46,563 and $49,339 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,296 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,890 — 20.77% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Wisconsin of $20,000 represents just 42.95% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($46,563/year) in Green Bay. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school settings.
OTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Green Bay
- 1Research the Green Bay market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $46,563 to $49,339, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Green Bay, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Green Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Green Bay's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Compensation Range
The occupational therapy assistant wage spread in Green Bay is $27,296 ( 58.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $46,563, experienced hygienists can earn up to $73,859.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,320
2025 BLS Actual
$45,290
2026 Current Est.
$46,563
2019–2027 Growth
+69.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Green Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,871 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Green Bay, WI grew 59.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,320 in 2019 to $45,290 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,871. New graduates entering the Green Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Green Bay 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 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Green Bay
A variety of employers in Green Bay actively seek to hire newly graduated occupational therapy assistants, with skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) being particularly prominent. Meanwhile, school districts offer appealing advantages such as summer-off schedules, while outpatient clinics typically prefer experienced COTAs but provide training for specialized roles like pediatric or hand therapy support. To enhance their earning potential, new grads should prioritize obtaining credentials such as an associate's degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, passing the NBCOT national exam for COTA certification, and securing state licensure. Additionally, awareness of current industry trends, including the impact of the 2022 Medicare Part B cut on OTA compensation, is essential for navigating the first few years of employment. Realistically, salaries may increase as much as 6% in the first three years, especially for those who pursue advanced practice areas through the AOTA and develop their professional skills under direct supervision of licensed occupational therapists.
More salary data for Green Bay, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Green Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov