Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Middleton, WI: $55,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Middleton, WI earns a median $55,002/year (≈ $26.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Middleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $58,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Middleton, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $55,002, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for OTAs in this area spans from $42,687 at the lower end (P10) to $65,770 at the higher end (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the local market conditions and earning potential in Middleton. As aspiring professionals in this field consider the COTA-to-MOT bridge, it's essential to recognize how these transitional qualifications could enhance lifetime earnings for occupational therapy assistants.
About the Middleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,687 | $20.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,734 | $23.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,002 | $26.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,592 | $28.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,770 | $31.62 |
Median Salary Position
26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middleton
In Middleton, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,083 (2026 est.). At $55,002, the local median is 26% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middleton: You'd be above the median
How Middleton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Middleton median: $55,002/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,462 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -26.00% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Middleton, WI earn a median of $55,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.00% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,462.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middleton 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.
Middleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $55,002 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,889 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
$45,515
2025 BLS Actual
$53,499
2026 Current Est.
$55,002
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Middleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,515 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,678 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,542 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,585 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,266 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,499 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,548 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middleton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $45,515 (2019) to $53,499 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,548 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,033 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middleton 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) | $42,687 – $48,734 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,734 – $55,002 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,002 – $59,592 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,592 – $65,770 |
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 Middleton
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Middleton remains modest, with only six employed locals in the field. The cost of living index in Middleton stands at 93.4, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay offers a relatively comfortable lifestyle in this community. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay for OTAs, while school districts generally provide more predictable work schedules, albeit at lower rates. Factors contributing to the disparity between wages include varying productivity expectations and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut introduced in 2022, which impacted outpatient and SNF settings more severely. To maximize pay within the Middleton market, candidates should consider pursuing positions in facilities that pay a premium for weekend shifts and PRN work, thus capitalizing on opportunities for increased earnings in their occupational therapy careers.
More salary data for Middleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Middleton, WI in 2026?
Is Middleton, WI a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Middleton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Middleton?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Middleton?
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 $53,499 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Middleton 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 Middleton 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