Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in West Allis, WI: $59,539 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in West Allis, WI earns a median $59,539/year (≈ $28.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in West Allis's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $63,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in West Allis, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $59,539 as projected for 2026, reflecting the local economic conditions and cost of living adjustments. The salary range for these professionals spans from $41,278 at the 10th percentile to $73,043 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability based on experience, work setting, and productivity expectations. Local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for factors specific to the West Allis market. The ability to maintain a consistent flow of client visits each day significantly impacts compensation, particularly in settings with high patient turnover or specialized therapy demands.
About the West Allis Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,278 | $19.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,530 | $23.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,539 | $28.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,917 | $31.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,043 | $35.12 |
Median Salary Position
19.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Allis
In West Allis, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,765 (2026 est.). At $59,539, the local median is 19.9% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in West Allis: You'd be above the median
How West Allis Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
West Allis median: $59,539/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Allis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,480 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -19.90% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Allis, WI earn a median of $59,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.90% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $59,480.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Allis 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.
West Allis, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $59,539 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,746 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,269
2025 BLS Actual
$57,912
2026 Current Est.
$59,539
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Allis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,415 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,445 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,675 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,539 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,212 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Allis metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $49,269 (2019) to $57,912 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,212 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,943 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Allis 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) | $41,278 – $49,530 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,530 – $59,539 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,539 – $64,917 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,917 – $73,043 |
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 West Allis
In West Allis, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively tight, with only 13 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.4, indicating a lower-than-average expense for residents compared to national figures. This translates to enhanced purchasing power for the income earned. Employers that offer the highest pay tend to be in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation sectors, where the reimbursement rates can better support higher salaries, as opposed to school district contracts which typically offer lower compensation but stable work hours. The disparity between low and high earnings can often be attributed to factors such as setting type, productivity demands, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA services since 2022. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in West Allis, pursuing positions in higher-paying settings and considering contract work can provide greater financial rewards.
More salary data for West Allis, 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 $57,912 for occupational therapy assistantsin the West Allis 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 West Allis 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