Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $28.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Appleton, WI runs $28.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,548 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,733 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, the prevailing hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is projected to be $28.63 in 2026, a figure that falls below the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This lower hourly wage impacts part-time and per-diem workers significantly—those working three days a week can expect to earn a consistent paycheck while enjoying a flexible work schedule. The hourly pay range in Appleton starts at $22.74 for entry-level positions, reaching up to $36.90 per hour for more experienced professionals. These earnings are derived from official BLS data, which reflect various settings in which COTAs operate, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, outpatient clinics, and even home health visits, further illustrating the diverse opportunities available in this field.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.74 | $181.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.74 | $181.93 |
| Median (P50) | $28.63 | $229.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.16 | $265.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.90 | $295.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $28.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.63/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $59,556 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,359. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,145.30 | $4,963 | $59,556 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.18 | $2,978 | $35,733 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.12 | $1,985 | $23,822 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Appleton) | $28.63 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Appleton, WI earn a median of $59,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $59,488.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.63/hr = $35,733/year (purchasing power: $38,665).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,556/year (purchasing power: $64,441).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+7.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Appleton grew 1.7% from $27.38/hr (2019) to $27.85/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.44/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Appleton
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working a 24-hour week in Appleton would take home around $35,000 annually, which can be significantly lower than the income from full-time employment. Meanwhile, the allure of per-diem or agency positions, where pay rates range from $30 to $45 per hour, has drawn many professionals, especially with travel contracts offering weekly compensation of $1,100 to $1,700. However, it is essential to note that agency positions often come with less job security and fewer benefits than full-time roles in health systems or schools, where occupational therapy assistants may accept lower hourly rates for health insurance and retirement plans. Hourly rates also vary widely across employer types in Appleton, with skilled nursing facilities often offering lower pay compared to inpatient rehab hospitals or school district contracts. Occupational therapy assistants considering various opportunities should negotiate their pay effectively and weigh the benefits against the potential hourly rates, especially in the wake of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts affecting OTA services since 2022.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Appleton in 2026?
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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
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 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Appleton. 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, 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