Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Racine, WI: $58,696 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Racine, WI earns a median $58,696/year (≈ $28.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Racine's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $62,844 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Racine, WI, reflects the diverse demands placed upon COTAs in different settings. With a median annual salary estimated at $58,696, professionals in this field can expect a salary range from $44,045 at the lower end to $73,906 at the high end according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. The differing pay structures are heavily influenced by the type of employer, particularly considering the distinct financial realities following recent Medicare cuts. As Medicare reimbursement rates for OT services were reduced by 15% in 2022, the ramifications are particularly pronounced in skilled nursing facilities where pay may lag behind hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers. The tight job market with only 13 occupational therapy assistants employed locally signifies the competitive landscape present in the Racine area.
About the Racine Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,045 | $21.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,341 | $24.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,696 | $28.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,316 | $31.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,906 | $35.53 |
Median Salary Position
21.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,861 (2026 est.). At $58,696, the local median is 21.04% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Racine median: $58,696/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,469 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -21.04% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Racine, WI earn a median of $58,696 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.04% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,469.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine 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.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $58,696 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,844 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
$27,360
2025 BLS Actual
$57,092
2026 Current Est.
$58,696
2019–2027 Growth
+120.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,915 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,977 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,092 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,696 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,346 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 108.7% from $27,360 (2019) to $57,092 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,346 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,986 (120.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $44,045 – $51,341 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,341 – $58,696 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,696 – $65,316 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,316 – $73,906 |
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 Racine
Understanding local employment trends and cost-of-living dynamics is crucial for those assessing occupational therapy assistant pay in Racine, WI. With a cost of living index of 93.4, residents experience a slightly lower cost of living compared to national averages, which can enhance purchasing power despite the relatively lower salaries. Though skilled nursing facilities often pay less on average, employers in hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings are generally at the top of the scale, followed by outpatient clinics. The disparity between low and high pay can be attributed to factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and whether employers need to provide year-round contracts versus school-year ones. To maximize earnings, aspiring or current COTAs may want to consider seeking employment in hospitals or exploring PDN (private duty nursing) options, where compensation is often more competitive, thus allowing for improved financial stability within the Racine market.
More salary data for Racine, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Racine, WI in 2026?
Is Racine, WI a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Racine?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Racine?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Racine?
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 $57,092 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Racine 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 Racine 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