Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in La Crosse, WI: $62,652 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in La Crosse, WI earns a median $62,652/year (≈ $30.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $68,271 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those entering the field of occupational therapy assistants in La Crosse can expect to earn a median annual salary of $62,652, which reflects a noticeable gap compared to the national median of $74,332. Salaries in this role span from $46,480 at the lower end (P10) to $73,776 at the higher end (P90), highlighting a range of compensation that meets diverse experience levels and job demands. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys provides a realistic view of what to anticipate in this profession, especially given the local market's context. The job market for occupational therapy assistants in La Crosse, with its growing demand, indicates a stable opportunity for those entering this vital healthcare role.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,652 | $30.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,327 | $34.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,776 | $35.47 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,296 (2026 est.). At $62,652, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be above the median
How La Crosse Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $62,652/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,499 | +5.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.71% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $62,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $59,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,652 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,271 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,880
2025 BLS Actual
$60,940
2026 Current Est.
$62,652
2019–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,051 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,155 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,481 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,779 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,652 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 32.8% from $45,880 (2019) to $60,940 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,533 (40.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $46,480 – $46,480 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,480 – $62,652 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,652 – $72,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,327 – $73,776 |
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 La Crosse
In La Crosse, the occupational therapy assistant market features approximately 40 professionals, reflecting a solid local job market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 91.769, suggesting that although salaries may trail the national average, the purchasing power remains strong, with residents benefiting from lower living expenses. Top employers, like local hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, typically offer higher wages, while outpatient clinics and school district contracts may provide more variability in pay. Factors contributing to the salary differences include productivity expectations, various work settings, and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting certain facilities. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in La Crosse, pursuing positions in hospital inpatient rehabilitation, focusing on PRN roles during weekends, or exploring contracts that offer year-round employment may provide significant financial advantages.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in La Crosse, WI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in La Crosse?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in La Crosse?
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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 $60,940 for occupational therapy assistantsin the La Crosse 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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