Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wisconsin: $59,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $59,734/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,955 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($63,227), Milwaukee ($62,440), Onalaska ($61,757).
In Wisconsin, the projected average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $59,734, which is significantly lower than the national median of $74,332, reflecting a gap of 19.6%. Salary variations exist within the state, with Waukesha paying the highest at $65,004 and Wisconsin Rapids the lowest at $54,546. The difference in salaries across cities can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in each area. Wisconsin's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws can also impact salary, as they define the responsibilities and level of care that assistants can provide. Additionally, the demand for occupational therapy services is increasing, influenced by an aging population and a growing emphasis on rehabilitative care, contributing to an annual growth rate of 2.81%. With a total of 945 occupational therapy assistants employed in the state, cities like Milwaukee ($64,195), Onalaska ($63,492), La Crosse ($62,652), and Kenosha ($62,498) indicate a solid job market that offers opportunities for career advancement. The projected stable growth and varied salary scales across metro areas underscore the evolving landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $39,944 (lowest entry-level) to $80,212 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin occupational therapy assistants earn 19.64% less than the national median ($-14,598/year difference).
Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Wisconsin range from $47,245 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $74,113 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,734. The Wisconsin median is $14,598 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $28.72/hr. Approximately 945 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,123
2025 BLS Actual
$58,101
2026 Current Est.
$59,734
2019–2027 Growth
+74.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,123 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,266 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,393 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,375 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,217 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,101 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 65.4% from $35,123 (2019) to $58,101 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,290 (74.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $54,546 |
| Middleton | $55,002 |
| Platteville | $55,592 |
| Mequon | $55,598 |
| River Falls | $56,058 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $65,004 | 93.4 | $69,597 |
| La Crosse | $62,652 | 91.769 | $68,271 |
| Onalaska | $63,492 | 93.4 | $67,979 |
| Milwaukee | $64,195 | 96.937 | $66,223 |
| Appleton | $59,548 | 92.419 | $64,433 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,245 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,734 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $74,113 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $65,004 |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $64,195 |
| 3 | Onalaska | $63,492 |
| 4 | La Crosse | $62,652 |
| 5 | Kenosha | $62,498 |
| 6 | Appleton | $59,548 |
| 7 | West Allis | $59,539 |
| 8 | Oshkosh | $59,434 |
| 9 | Fitchburg | $59,145 |
| 10 | Greenfield | $59,139 |
| 11 | Green Bay | $58,890 |
| 12 | Racine | $58,696 |
| 13 | Menomonee Falls | $58,627 |
| 14 | Brookfield | $58,489 |
| 15 | West Bend | $58,457 |
| 16 | De Pere | $58,410 |
| 17 | New Berlin | $58,299 |
| 18 | Wausau | $57,843 |
| 19 | Beloit | $57,838 |
| 20 | Sun Prairie | $57,806 |
| 21 | Eau Claire | $57,687 |
| 22 | Caledonia | $57,649 |
| 23 | Mount Pleasant | $57,621 |
| 24 | Janesville | $57,527 |
| 25 | Muskego | $57,524 |
| 26 | Stevens Point | $57,256 |
| 27 | Franklin | $57,191 |
| 28 | Oak Creek | $57,011 |
| 29 | Superior | $56,924 |
| 30 | Manitowoc | $56,896 |
| 31 | Sheboygan | $56,850 |
| 32 | Fond du Lac | $56,720 |
| 33 | Pewaukee | $56,684 |
| 34 | South Milwaukee | $56,519 |
| 35 | Pleasant Prairie | $56,510 |
| 36 | Menomonie | $56,452 |
| 37 | Whitewater | $56,447 |
| 38 | Madison | $56,412 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $56,397 |
| 40 | Germantown | $56,357 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $56,336 |
| 42 | River Falls | $56,058 |
| 43 | Mequon | $55,598 |
| 44 | Platteville | $55,592 |
| 45 | Middleton | $55,002 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $54,546 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Wisconsin cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Wisconsin?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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