Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kenosha, WI: $62,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Kenosha, WI earns a median $62,498/year (≈ $30.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Kenosha's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $61,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Kenosha, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $62,498 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332, reflecting a pay disparity of approximately 15.92%. The salary range for this profession extends from $47,272 at the 10th percentile to $80,212 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential that can be influenced by various factors such as experience and employment settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the financial landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Kenosha. As this field continues to see a growth rate of 2.81%, opportunities may arise for those who seek to bridge from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) programs, potentially enhancing their lifetime earnings within the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,272 | $22.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,851 | $27.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,498 | $30.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,893 | $33.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,212 | $38.56 |
Median Salary Position
15.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
In Kenosha, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,940 (2026 est.). At $62,498, the local median is 15.92% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kenosha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kenosha Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Kenosha median: $62,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kenosha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,465 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.92% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kenosha, WI earn a median of $62,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.92% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $59,465.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kenosha has a cost of living 1.12% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kenosha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 101.118 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,498 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,807 — a 1.11% reduction.
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
$51,718
2025 BLS Actual
$60,790
2026 Current Est.
$62,498
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,718 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,903 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,022 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,342 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,285 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,254 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kenosha metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,718 (2019) to $60,790 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,254 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,536 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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) | $47,272 – $57,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,851 – $62,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,498 – $68,893 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,893 – $80,212 |
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 Kenosha
In this part of Wisconsin, the job market for occupational therapy assistants shows a workforce of about 30 professionals, offering a stable environment for those seeking careers in this field. However, the cost of living index stands at 101.118, slightly above the national average, which can impact the take-home pay and purchasing power of local workers. Employers offering the highest wages typically include hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities, although school district contracts and outpatient clinics also provide competitive compensation. Variations in pay often arise from factors such as the type of setting, productivity expectations, and seasonal contracts, particularly as the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut may affect positions funded by Medicare. To maximize their pay, COTAs in Kenosha should consider seeking employment in higher-paying settings, pursuing additional certifications, or transitioning to year-round roles, which can provide more consistent income and benefits throughout the year.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Kenosha, WI in 2026?
Is Kenosha, WI a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Kenosha?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Kenosha?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Kenosha?
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 $60,790 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Kenosha 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, 2-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