Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Kenosha, WI: $30.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Kenosha, WI runs $30.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,498 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Kenosha's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,491 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is projected to be $30.04, which is significantly below the national hourly median of $35.74. This discrepancy in pay impacts part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants working in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For those seeking part-time opportunities at 24 hours per week, the state's hourly rate can translate to a substantial earning potential, while entry-level positions start at approximately $22.73 per hour, and top earners can make as much as $38.56 hourly. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, providing a reliable overview for current and prospective COTAs considering employment in Kenosha.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.73 | $181.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.81 | $222.48 |
| Median (P50) | $30.04 | $240.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.12 | $264.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.56 | $308.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kenosha
Based on $30.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.04/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kenosha, WI can expect to earn approximately $62,485 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,049. With a cost-of-living index of 101.12 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kenosha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kenosha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,201.64 | $5,207 | $62,485 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.99 | $3,124 | $37,491 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.66 | $2,083 | $24,994 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Kenosha) | $30.04 |
| 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 Kenosha, WI earn a median of $62,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.92% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $59,465.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.04/hr = $37,491/year (purchasing power: $37,077).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,485/year (purchasing power: $61,795).
CoL index: 101.118 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Kenosha grew 17.5% from $24.86/hr (2019) to $29.22/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.89/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 Kenosha 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 Kenosha
Considering the earning potential for a 3-day workweek, an occupational therapy assistant could take home an annual income that varies significantly based on their employment situation. Part-time COTAs earn an hourly rate of $30.04, totaling roughly $37,576 annually. In contrast, per-diem or agency positions often pay between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering up to $1,700 weekly, especially in in-demand settings like skilled nursing facilities. However, many may find that while skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics traditionally offer lower hourly rates, the trade-off can be employee benefits like health insurance. Accordingly, some occupational therapy assistants may choose to take lower hourly pay for the security of benefits. Kenosha’s diverse employment landscape means that hourly rates and work arrangements can differ significantly across employer types. To maximize earning potential, COTAs should be prepared to negotiate hourly wages, especially given the impact of Medicare reimbursement cuts that have affected pay since 2022.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Kenosha in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Kenosha?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Kenosha paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Kenosha?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kenosha?
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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 Kenosha. 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, 2-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