OT Assistant Salary

Janesville vs Madison: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Janesville, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Janesville, WI
$57,527
$27.66/hr
Madison, WI
$56,412
$27.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJanesville, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$57,527$56,412
Hourly Rate$27.66$27.12
Entry Level (P10)$41,341$48,896
25th Percentile$48,949$48,896
75th Percentile$63,817$65,346
Top Earner (P90)$72,398$74,835
Total Employed16180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Janesville ($57,527) and Madison ($56,412) occupational therapy assistant salaries.JanesvilleMadisonMedian Salary$57,527$56,412Entry Level (P10)$41,341$48,896Top Earner (P90)$72,398$74,835US Median $74,332

Verdict

Janesville and Madison are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Janesville and Madison is $1,115 (1.98%). Janesville's median is -22.61% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Janesville spans $31,057,Madison spans $25,939. Janesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Janesville
P10 (Entry)$41,341
P25$48,949
Median$57,527
P75$63,817
P90 (Top)$72,398
Madison
P10 (Entry)$48,896
P25$48,896
Median$56,412
P75$65,346
P90 (Top)$74,835

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Janesville ($61,592 effective) pays 6.22% more than Madison ($57,985 effective).

Janesville
Nominal: $57,527
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $61,592
Madison
Nominal: $56,412
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $57,985

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Janesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,527/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,592)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($74,835)
  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Janesville grew 0.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 61.6% growth in Madison over the same period.

Janesville, WI

+0.7%

$55,550 (2019) → $55,955 (2025)

Madison, WI

+61.6%

$33,950 (2019) → $54,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Janesville or Madison?

Janesville has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $57,527/year, compared to Madison at $56,412/year — a difference of $1,115 (1.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Janesville and Madison?

Janesville occupational therapy assistants earn $27.66/hr while Madison hygienists earn $27.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Janesville to Madison as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Janesville and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Janesville = $61,592, Madison = $57,985), job availability (16 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Janesville vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $41,341 in Janesville and $48,896 in Madison. The Madison area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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