Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Onalaska, WI: $63,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Onalaska, WI earns a median $63,492/year (≈ $30.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $67,979 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Onalaska, Wisconsin, the compensation of an occupational therapy assistant is projected to have a median annual salary of $63,492 by 2026. This figure illustrates a substantial difference when compared to the national median of $74,332, placing local salaries roughly 14.58% lower than the national average. The local pay range is set to span from $46,820 at the P10 level to $71,338 at the P90, allowing for variability based on experience and work setting. These figures arise from data projections based on 2025 BLS estimates and consider regional pricing adjustments, which add context to the compensation landscape for this occupation. Given the local market dynamics, Onalaska presents opportunities for occupational therapy assistants to shape their earning potential based on their work environments.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,169 | $27.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,492 | $30.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,954 | $31.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,338 | $34.30 |
Median Salary Position
14.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,518 (2026 est.). At $63,492, the local median is 14.58% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be above the median
How Onalaska Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $63,492/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,506 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.58% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $63,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.58% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $59,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska 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.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,492 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,979 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,540
2025 BLS Actual
$61,757
2026 Current Est.
$63,492
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,762 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,728 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,881 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,238 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,942 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,757 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,540 (2019) to $61,757 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,737 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $46,820 – $57,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,169 – $63,492 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,492 – $65,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,954 – $71,338 |
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 Onalaska
With only four occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Onalaska, competition remains low, allowing for more tailored opportunities for growth. The cost of living index in Onalaska stands at 93.4, suggesting that earnings, although lower than the national average, stretch further within the local economy. Employers that typically offer competitive pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units, which often see higher compensation compared to school district contracts or outpatient clinics. Factors affecting salary variance include the type of healthcare setting, productivity expectations, and the implications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut influencing therapy services. To maximize compensation, candidates may consider pursuing roles in more lucrative facilities or seeking additional certifications that align with in-demand services, especially in an evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Onalaska, 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 $61,757 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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