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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Wisconsin: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Wisconsin employs 1,050 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $59,960 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)

Wisconsin median pay: $59,960 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $44,620
Experienced (75th percentile): $65,740
Top earners (90th percentile): $72,940
Employed in Wisconsin: 1,050
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Wisconsin markets:

Minneapolis: $66,210 (350 employed)
Milwaukee: $62,440 (230 employed)
Appleton: $57,920 (60 employed)
Green Bay: $57,280 (70 employed)
Madison: $54,870 (180 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin

Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $59,960 median stretches to roughly $63,719 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)

Wisconsin is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +20.3%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 180 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Wisconsin Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board (DSPS).

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply through DSPS for licensure.

Official requirements: Wisconsin Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board (DSPS) →

Training in Wisconsin

Strong demand in rehab, pediatrics, and senior care. Confirm ACOTE accreditation and fieldwork placements.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Wisconsin include:

Blackhawk Technical College — Associate
Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa — Associate
Chippewa Valley Technical College — Associate
Fox Valley Technical College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Wisconsin

Real Wisconsin outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Rehab Resources — Brookfield
Cora Physical Therapy Burlington — Burlington
Powerback Rehabilitation Chilton — Chilton
Cora Physical Therapy Cudahy — Cudahy
Cerebral Palsy — Green Bay
Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency — Green Bay

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Wisconsin?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Wisconsin is $59,960 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,620, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $72,940. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Wisconsin?

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Wisconsin Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board (DSPS). Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Wisconsin?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Wisconsin metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Wisconsin metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $66,210, followed by Milwaukee ($62,440), Appleton ($57,920). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Wisconsin?

Real Wisconsin options include Blackhawk Technical College, Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa, Chippewa Valley Technical College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +20.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 180 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Wisconsin Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board (DSPS) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.