Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Oak Creek, WI: $57,011 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Oak Creek, WI earns a median $57,011/year (≈ $27.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Oak Creek's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $61,040 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Creek, WI, the expected compensation for an occupational therapy assistant stands at a median annual salary of $57,011 for 2026. This figure represents a notable reduction compared to the national average, which is projected at $74,332, reflecting a local market that may place different expectations on productivity and visits per day. Local salaries vary considerably, ranging from $43,290 at the 10th percentile to $70,834 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse employment landscape where individuals' earnings can depend on experience, specific job settings, and the types of services offered. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity, and help illuminate the compensation structure for occupational therapy assistants working directly with patients in therapy settings across Oak Creek.
About the Oak Creek Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,032 | $24.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,011 | $27.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,043 | $30.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,834 | $34.05 |
Median Salary Position
23.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Creek
In Oak Creek, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,544 (2026 est.). At $57,011, the local median is 23.3% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Creek: You'd be above the median
How Oak Creek Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Oak Creek median: $57,011/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,511 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -23.30% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oak Creek, WI earn a median of $57,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.30% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,511.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Creek 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.
Oak Creek, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $57,011 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,040 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,177
2025 BLS Actual
$55,453
2026 Current Est.
$57,011
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oak Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,177 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,274 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,346 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,279 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,396 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,285 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,453 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,011 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,613 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Creek metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $47,177 (2019) to $55,453 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,613 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,436 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Creek 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) | $43,290 – $50,032 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,032 – $57,011 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,011 – $63,043 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,043 – $70,834 |
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 Oak Creek
Within the Oak Creek job market, only five occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, which suggests a compact professional community. The local cost of living, indexed at 93.4, implies that take-home pay may stretch further than in many urban areas, though it remains essential for professionals to understand the nuanced impacts of employment settings on salaries. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher compensation compared to other employers, such as outpatient clinics or school districts; however, recent changes, including the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA-provided services, significantly influence pay levels across various settings. To maximize earnings in this market, occupational therapy assistants should consider pursuing contracts in high-demand areas, securing roles at facilities that offer weekend or PRN shifts, and exploring opportunities that allow for year-round work as opposed to school-year-only contracts. These strategies can effectively bridge the gap between the lower and higher ends of the salary spectrum in Oak Creek.
More salary data for Oak Creek, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Oak Creek, WI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Oak Creek?
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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 $55,453 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Oak Creek 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 Oak Creek 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