Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Appleton, WI: $59,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Appleton, WI earns a median $59,548/year (≈ $28.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $64,433 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, the 2026 median yearly compensation for an occupational therapy assistant is projected at $59,548, significantly lower than the national average of $74,332. This salary, which reflects a range from $47,313 at the 10th percentile to $76,737 at the 90th percentile, illustrates the diverse pay scale likely influenced by various employment settings. Occupational therapy assistants in local skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals will experience different remuneration structures. With challenges like the 15% Medicare cut to OTA-supported services affecting profitability in certain outpatient settings and SNFs, it’s essential to understand the local market dynamics for effective career planning in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,313 | $22.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,313 | $22.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,548 | $28.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,965 | $33.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,737 | $36.90 |
Median Salary Position
19.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,424 (2026 est.). At $59,548, the local median is 19.89% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Appleton median: $59,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,488 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -19.89% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $59,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,433 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,950
2025 BLS Actual
$57,920
2026 Current Est.
$59,548
2019–2027 Growth
+7.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,221 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 1.7% from $56,950 (2019) to $57,920 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,221 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,271 (7.50%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,313 – $47,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,313 – $59,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,548 – $68,965 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,965 – $76,737 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Appleton
In Appleton, the job market for occupational therapy assistants comprises around 60 practitioners, indicating modest employment opportunity given the city's size. The cost of living index stands at 92.419, offering relatively favorable purchasing power when comparing salaries to other regions. Notably, employers in hospital settings may provide the highest compensation, while SNFs and school districts typically pay less due to budget constraints and reimbursement limitations stemming from Medicare cuts. Variances in pay can also arise from productivity expectations and the nature of employment contracts, where those working year-round may outpace their counterparts with school-year schedules. For those entering the field or exploring COTA-to-MOT pathways, targeting positions within hospitals or seeking roles that offer evening, weekend, or PRN options could maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Appleton, WI.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Appleton, WI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Appleton?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $57,920 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Appleton metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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