Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $56,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Fond du Lac, WI earns a median $56,720/year (≈ $27.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Fond du Lac's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $60,728 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected annual compensation for occupational therapy assistants in Fond du Lac is estimated at $56,720, reflecting the local market’s unique dynamics. The salary range spans from $42,359 at the lower end (P10) to $67,911 at the upper tier (P90). These figures are derived from the 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. Compared to the national average of $74,332 for the same year, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Fond du Lac illustrates a significant difference, highlighting the need for effective productivity expectations to maximize earning potential in this area. The local job market, while modest with only eight employed assistants, indicates specific opportunities worth exploring.
About the Fond du Lac Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,359 | $20.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,429 | $23.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,161 | $29.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,911 | $32.65 |
Median Salary Position
23.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fond du Lac
In Fond du Lac, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,552 (2026 est.). At $56,720, the local median is 23.69% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Fond du Lac: You'd be above the median
How Fond du Lac Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Fond du Lac median: $56,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fond du Lac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,518 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -23.69% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $56,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.69% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fond du Lac 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.
Fond du Lac, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $56,720 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,728 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,936
2025 BLS Actual
$55,170
2026 Current Est.
$56,720
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,936 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,028 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,104 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,027 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,133 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,992 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,314 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $46,936 (2019) to $55,170 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,314 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,378 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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) | $42,359 – $49,429 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,429 – $56,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,720 – $61,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,161 – $67,911 |
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 Fond du Lac
Evaluating the occupational therapy assistant pay in Fond du Lac WI, it is crucial to consider the local cost of living, which stands at a relatively low index of 93.4. This means that despite a lower median than the national standard, the purchasing power could be more favorable. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer the most competitive wages, while contract positions in school districts tend to yield lower pay. The disparity between salaries is driven by factors such as workplace setting, productivity demands, and the seasonal nature of school contracts. Additionally, the ongoing 15% cuts to Medicare reimbursements have created a tighter budget for some facilities, influencing pay scales. For those looking to bolster their income, targeting outpatient clinics or securing weekend and PRN shifts may provide better hourly rates, especially as demand for therapy services continues to grow.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Fond du Lac, WI in 2026?
Is Fond du Lac, WI a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Fond du Lac?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Fond du Lac?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Fond du Lac?
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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 $55,170 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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