Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in River Falls, WI: $26.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in River Falls, WI runs $26.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,058 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against River Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,629 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, the hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is positioned at a median rate of $26.95, which is significantly lower than the national average of $35.74 per hour. This discrepancy means that those working part-time—approximately three days a week—earn a relatively stable income while maintaining flexibility. For example, a part-time occupational therapy assistant in River Falls could expect to generate a consistent weekly paycheck in therapy settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, or outpatient clinics. With the hourly pay ranging from $19.49 at the entry level to $32.26 for more seasoned professionals, the landscape reflects both opportunities for growth and the challenges presented by local wage scales compared to national standards. These pay figures are derived from annual salary data, illustrating the real-world implications in hourly terms.
About the River Falls 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) | $19.49 | $155.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.90 | $191.23 |
| Median (P50) | $26.95 | $215.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.22 | $233.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.26 | $258.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in River Falls
Based on $26.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.95/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in River Falls, WI can expect to earn approximately $56,049 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,336. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in River Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in River Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,077.86 | $4,671 | $56,049 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $646.72 | $2,802 | $33,629 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.14 | $1,868 | $22,419 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (River Falls) | $26.95 |
| 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 River Falls, WI earn a median of $56,058 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.58% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,510.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.95/hr = $33,629/year (purchasing power: $36,006).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,049/year (purchasing power: $60,009).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in River Falls grew 17.5% from $22.30/hr (2019) to $26.21/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.70/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 River 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in River Falls
Analyzing the part-time earning potential reveals a more nuanced picture for a COTA in River Falls. Aiming for 24 hours a week translates into about $33,570 annually, providing a contrast to the full-time income that would significantly surpass that figure. Many occupational therapy assistants work per diem or take agency contracts, often billing clients between $30-$45 per hour; such arrangements can lead to total weekly earnings ranging from $1,100 to $1,700 for travel positions. The post-2022 Medicare cuts have squeezed pay in certain settings, notably those reliant on government reimbursement. Because of this, hourly rates can vary considerably based on the type of employer—ranging from skilled nursing facilities to school districts. For many COTAs, the choice might boil down to accepting lower hourly wages for benefits like health insurance, while others might opt for the flexibility of higher pay without benefits. When negotiating for better pay, it's wise to research local market rates and assess the package of benefits being offered in River Falls.
More salary data for River Falls, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in River Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in River Falls?
Are occupational therapy assistants in River Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in River Falls?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in River 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
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 River Falls. 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 River 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