Occupational Therapist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Occupational Therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $94,020 a year ($45.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,160 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $92,390. There are 1.5 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,510, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| 25th percentile | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Median | $94,020 | $45.20 |
| 75th percentile | $102,320 | $49.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,160 | $53.44 |
| Average (mean) | $92,510 | $44.48 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,835 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,917.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,616.15 |
| Weekly | $1,808.08 |
| Hourly | $45.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $95,670 | 610 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $95,420 | 90 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $94,750 | 70 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $93,600 | 2,590 |
| Kenosha, WI | $93,120 | 110 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $92,610 | 90 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $91,670 | 100 |
| Appleton, WI | $90,310 | 140 |
| Wausau, WI | $90,030 | 70 |
| Green Bay, WI | $88,730 | 250 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $84,520 | 90 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $84,440 | 150 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $82,560 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $79,390 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Physicians, All Other | $411,200 | $197.69 |
| Pharmacist | $153,340 | $73.72 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,030 | $49.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,350 | $64.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,040 | $64.92 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Dentists, General | $155,940 | $74.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Veterinarian | $117,780 | $56.62 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,350 | $138.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,660 | $37.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $94,020 a year, or $45.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $111,160 a year. The top 25% earn $102,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,820 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $80,270 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 1,220 occupational therapists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.