Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in West Bend, WI: $58,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in West Bend, WI earns a median $58,457/year (≈ $28.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in West Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $62,588 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in West Bend earn a median annual salary of $58,457, which reflects the local economic conditions amidst broader industry shifts. The salary range spans from $41,920 at the 10th percentile to $67,577 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse employment settings from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to school districts and hospitals. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional price variations. With ongoing adjustments related to Medicare reimbursement cuts, especially the recent 15% reduction impacting outpatient settings, occupational therapy assistant pay in West Bend WI is being reevaluated, making this an area of importance for current and aspiring occupational therapy assistants, including those considering COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways.
About the West Bend Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,524 | $23.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,457 | $28.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,695 | $29.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,577 | $32.49 |
Median Salary Position
21.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Bend
In West Bend, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,657 (2026 est.). At $58,457, the local median is 21.36% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Bend: You'd be above the median
How West Bend Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
West Bend median: $58,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,468 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -21.36% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Bend, WI earn a median of $58,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.36% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $59,468.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Bend 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 Bend, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $58,457 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,588 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,373
2025 BLS Actual
$56,859
2026 Current Est.
$58,457
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in West Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,373 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,498 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,546 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,528 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,699 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,859 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,099 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Bend metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $48,373 (2019) to $56,859 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,726 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Bend 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) | $41,920 – $49,524 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,524 – $58,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,457 – $61,695 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,695 – $67,577 |
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 Bend
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in West Bend is relatively small, with just five professionals employed in the area, making each role significant. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 93.4, which is below the national average, the local salary levels impact overall take-home purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer the highest wages in this market, partly due to the continued demand for rehabilitation services. However, factors such as weekday vs. weekend work, school-year contracts, productivity expectations, and the persistent effects of the Medicare cuts play crucial roles in pay disparity among the settings. Aspiring COTAs should focus on building a strong local network, gaining diverse experience across various settings, and considering part-time opportunities in facilities with higher pay scales to maximize their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for West Bend, 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 $56,859 for occupational therapy assistantsin the West Bend 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 Bend 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