Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Fitchburg, WI: $59,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Fitchburg, WI earns a median $59,145/year (≈ $28.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Fitchburg's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $63,324 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fitchburg, WI, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $59,145 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap compared to the national median of $74,332, indicating a local pay structure that is approximately 20.43% lower. Salary ranges for occupational therapy assistants reveal a spectrum from $43,639 at the 10th percentile to $71,842 at the 90th percentile, providing variability that can reflect different levels of experience and settings. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which impacts the earning potential in Fitchburg’s specific job market, characterized by its unique healthcare landscape.
About the Fitchburg Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,639 | $20.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,965 | $24.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,145 | $28.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,580 | $31.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,842 | $34.54 |
Median Salary Position
20.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fitchburg
In Fitchburg, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,203 (2026 est.). At $59,145, the local median is 20.43% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fitchburg: You'd be above the median
How Fitchburg Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Fitchburg median: $59,145/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fitchburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,502 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -20.43% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fitchburg, WI earn a median of $59,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.43% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,502.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fitchburg has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fitchburg, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $59,145 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,324 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$48,943
2025 BLS Actual
$57,528
2026 Current Est.
$59,145
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fitchburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,943 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,118 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,319 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,528 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,806 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fitchburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $48,943 (2019) to $57,528 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,806 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,863 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fitchburg 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) | $43,639 – $50,965 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,965 – $59,145 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,145 – $64,580 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,580 – $71,842 |
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 Fitchburg
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Fitchburg is relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed in this field. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, slightly below the national average, which suggests that while salaries may be lower than elsewhere, the purchasing power could balance this out for residents. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings typically offer the highest pay rates. Variations in earnings stem from job settings, productivity expectations, and the impact of compensation cuts, such as the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursement for OTA services since 2022. To maximize earnings, aspiring or current COTAs should consider obtaining the MOT credential, which not only bridges professional growth but may also lead to higher pay opportunities in the evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Fitchburg, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Fitchburg, WI in 2026?
Is Fitchburg, WI a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Fitchburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Fitchburg?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Fitchburg?
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
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 $57,528 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Fitchburg 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
Salary data for Fitchburg 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