Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Madison, WI
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $54,870 a year ($26.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,790 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 8% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $59,960. There are 0.43 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| 25th percentile | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Median | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| 75th percentile | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| Average (mean) | $56,840 | $27.33 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants 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 | $4,572.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,286.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,110.38 |
| Weekly | $1,055.19 |
| Hourly | $26.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,870 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 Therapy Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $66,210 | 350 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $62,440 | 230 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $60,940 | 40 |
| Kenosha, WI | $60,790 | 30 |
| Appleton, WI | $57,920 | 60 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $57,810 | 40 |
| Green Bay, WI | $57,280 | 70 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $56,110 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
See Occupational Therapy Assistant pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Medical Assistant | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Massage Therapist | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,350 | $20.36 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. 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 therapy assistant make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the Madison, WI metro area is $54,870 a year, or $26.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $72,790 a year. The top 25% earn $63,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,560 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $47,560 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Madison, WI?
About 180 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.