Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Menomonee Falls, WI: $42,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Menomonee Falls, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $42,143 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Menomonee Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,121 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,627) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates beginning their careers as occupational therapy assistants in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin can expect to see starting salaries around $42,143 in 2026. This amount is significantly below the city median annual salary of $58,627, creating a notable gap that emerging professionals should be aware of. However, there is potential for growth as new COTAs can progress to $49,879 at the 25th percentile and ultimately reach the median pay as they gain experience over the first few years of their careers. Given the local market trends and a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%, Menomonee Falls presents a viable environment for recent graduates seeking employment opportunities in this field.
About the Menomonee Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Menomonee Falls
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 Menomonee Falls
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Menomonee Falls, WI typically start between $42,143 and $49,879 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,123 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,627 — 21.13% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Wisconsin of $20,000 represents just 47.46% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($42,143/year) in Menomonee Falls. 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 Menomonee Falls
- 1Research the Menomonee Falls market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $42,143 to $49,879, 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 Menomonee Falls, 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 Menomonee Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Menomonee Falls'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 Menomonee Falls is $26,123 ( 61.99%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $42,143, experienced hygienists can earn up to $68,266.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,221
2025 BLS Actual
$40,991
2026 Current Est.
$42,143
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Menomonee Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,221 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,375 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,265 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,165 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,746 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,991 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,327 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Menomonee Falls, WI grew 23.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,221 in 2019 to $40,991 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,327. New graduates entering the Menomonee Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls
In Menomonee Falls, various employers hire entry-level occupational therapy assistants, with skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) being prominent among them. School districts may offer more flexible schedules but often hire during summer months. Outpatient clinics may prefer experienced COTAs; however, they occasionally provide training for new grads, especially in niche areas like pediatric therapy or hand rehabilitation. Entry-level practitioners should focus on acquiring relevant credentials, including an Associate's degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, passing the NBCOT exam to earn their COTA credential, and securing a state license. Effective career strategies during the initial years include gaining experience under OT supervision while keeping updated on the industry's reimbursement challenges, such as the 15% Medicare Part B cut for OTA services instituted in 2022. Realistic salary growth in the first three years will largely depend on adaptability and ongoing education, as developing skills in advanced practice areas outlined by the AOTA can provide an edge in a competitive market.
More salary data for Menomonee Falls, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Menomonee Falls in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Menomonee Falls?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Menomonee Falls?
What do new occupational therapy assistants make right out of school in Menomonee Falls?
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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 Menomonee Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Menomonee Falls is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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