Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Franklin, WI: $57,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Franklin, WI earns a median $57,191/year (≈ $27.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $61,232 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Franklin, Wisconsin can expect a median annual salary of $57,191 in 2026, reflecting the local market’s competitive nature despite a gap compared to the national median of $74,332. This salary ranges from $43,722 at the lower 10% to $69,238 for those in the top 90%. Derived from 2025 BLS data, these figures also consider regional price parities, offering insights into how occupational therapy assistant pay in Franklin aligns with local economic conditions. With an annual growth rate of 2.81%, this profession continues to evolve, indicating steady demand for COTAs within the community as they contribute to patient care.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,722 | $21.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,137 | $23.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,191 | $27.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,307 | $29.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,238 | $33.29 |
Median Salary Position
23.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,516 (2026 est.). At $57,191, the local median is 23.06% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be above the median
How Franklin Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Franklin median: $57,191/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,512 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -23.06% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Franklin, WI earn a median of $57,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.06% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.90% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin 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.
Franklin, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $57,191 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,232 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,326
2025 BLS Actual
$55,628
2026 Current Est.
$57,191
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,326 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,426 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,434 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,558 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,466 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,628 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $47,326 (2019) to $55,628 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,472 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $43,722 – $49,137 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,137 – $57,191 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,191 – $62,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,307 – $69,238 |
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 Franklin
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are currently eight occupational therapy assistants employed in Franklin, showing a modest demand given the area's size. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, which suggests that purchasing power is relatively favorable compared to the national average. Employers paying the most in Franklin include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities, which remain a primary setting for occupational therapy assistants, while skilled nursing facilities may not offer as much compensation due to recent cuts in Medicare reimbursements. Variations in pay largely stem from productivity expectations, work settings, and contract types, such as school-year versus year-round positions. To maximize earnings, aspiring COTAs should consider seeking positions in high-demand areas and explore opportunities for continuing education and advanced credentials, like the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, which may enhance employment competitiveness and salary potential.
More salary data for Franklin, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $55,628 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Franklin 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 Franklin 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