Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in De Pere, WI: $28.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in De Pere, WI runs $28.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,410 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against De Pere's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,041 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In De Pere, Wisconsin, occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $28.08. This figure is significantly lower than the national median hourly wage of $35.74. For practitioners working part-time, perhaps three days a week in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, or during home health visits, this rate translates to a modest weekly income, especially when compared to full-time counterparts. The hourly earnings can vary widely depending on experience and setting; entry-level professionals might earn around $20.13 per hour, while experienced COTAs can make up to $32.50, reflecting the broader salary range of $41,871 (P10) to $67,587 (P90) relevant to this occupation in the area. It's crucial to keep in mind that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, so they provide an insight into the potential earnings in this field.
About the De Pere Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.13 | $161.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.76 | $190.08 |
| Median (P50) | $28.08 | $224.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.20 | $241.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.50 | $259.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in De Pere
Based on $28.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.08/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in De Pere, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,401 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,693. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in De Pere.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in De Pere
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,123.10 | $4,867 | $58,401 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $673.86 | $2,920 | $35,041 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.24 | $1,947 | $23,360 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (De Pere) | $28.08 |
| 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 De Pere, WI earn a median of $58,410 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.42% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,481.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.08/hr = $35,041/year (purchasing power: $37,517).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,401/year (purchasing power: $62,528).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in De Pere (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in De Pere grew 17.5% from $23.23/hr (2019) to $27.31/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.87/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 De Pere 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 De Pere
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working a schedule of three days a week can expect to take home around $35,000 annually, a significant difference when compared to a full-time position, which would yield nearly double that amount based on full-time hours. Additionally, per diem occupational therapy assistants can command higher pay rates that typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, especially for specialty contracts that may involve travel, where weekly earnings can range from $1,100 to $1,700. This scenario presents a trade-off for COTAs: while some may accept a lower hourly wage for the benefits that come with full-time employment, others might prioritize higher hourly pay despite sacrificing health insurance benefits. In De Pere, hourly rates can fluctuate across different employer types, with skilled nursing facilities and hospital rehab centers typically offering varying pay scales. For overtime or specialized contracts, understanding how to negotiate pay can enhance earnings, especially under conditions shaped by recent changes in Medicare reimbursement policies.
More salary data for De Pere, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in De Pere in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in De Pere?
Are occupational therapy assistants in De Pere paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in De Pere?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in De Pere?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 De Pere. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for De Pere 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