Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Pewaukee, WI: $56,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Pewaukee, WI earns a median $56,684/year (≈ $27.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Pewaukee's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $60,690 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the projected annual earnings for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 are estimated at $56,684. This figure places the local salary noticeably below the national median of $74,332, reflecting a compensation gap influenced by the job market's structure and recent Medicare funding cuts. The salary range extends from $42,070 at the 10th percentile to $63,578 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variation based on experience, setting, and job demands. As local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the region's cost of living, which is indexed at 93.4, these figures illustrate the economic realities facing COTAs employed in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals—each presenting distinct compensation challenges in light of post-medical cut adjustments.
About the Pewaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,070 | $20.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,827 | $23.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,684 | $27.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,185 | $28.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,578 | $30.57 |
Median Salary Position
23.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pewaukee
In Pewaukee, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,508 (2026 est.). At $56,684, the local median is 23.74% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Pewaukee: You'd be above the median
How Pewaukee Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Pewaukee median: $56,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pewaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,480 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -23.74% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pewaukee, WI earn a median of $56,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.74% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,480.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pewaukee 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.
Pewaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $56,684 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,690 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,907
2025 BLS Actual
$55,135
2026 Current Est.
$56,684
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pewaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,907 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,997 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,074 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,101 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,956 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pewaukee metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $46,907 (2019) to $55,135 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,370 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pewaukee 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) | $42,070 – $48,827 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,827 – $56,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,684 – $60,185 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,185 – $63,578 |
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 Pewaukee
With only four occupational therapy assistants employed in Pewaukee, the local market remains relatively small yet significant. The cost-of-living index suggests that salaries here may stretch further compared to pricier regions, but the compression of pay, particularly in SNFs due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, creates challenges for financial growth. Employers in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and home health agencies tend to offer higher pay compared to school district contracts. The salary disparities can largely be attributed to productivity expectations, the nature of the service provision setting, and the growing trend towards PRN and weekend shifts which often incentivize higher hourly rates. To maximize earning potential, COTAs in Pewaukee may consider expanding their qualifications through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, diversifying their skill set, and seeking positions in higher-paying environments like outpatient settings or specialized programs where funding remains more robust.
More salary data for Pewaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Pewaukee?
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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 $55,135 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Pewaukee 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 Pewaukee 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