Occupational Therapist Salary in Middleton, WI: $87,346 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Middleton, WI earns a median $87,346/year (≈ $42.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Middleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $93,518 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy compensation in Middleton, Wisconsin, faces unique challenges due to recent Medicare payment cuts for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient services. The projected median annual occupational therapist salary in Middleton is $87,346, which is significantly lower than the national median of $103,400, reflecting a discrepancy of 15.53%. Salary ranges for occupational therapists in this area demonstrate variability, starting at $68,008 on the lower end and reaching up to $110,471 on the high end. These local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, indicating a nuanced local job market that offers a wide scope of potential earnings while navigating the impact of payment reforms.
About the Middleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,008 | $32.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,587 | $35.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,346 | $42.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,392 | $48.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,471 | $53.11 |
Median Salary Position
15.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middleton
In Middleton, WI, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,463 (2026 est.). At $87,346, the local median is 15.53% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middleton Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Middleton median: $87,346/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $94,429 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -15.53% less |
Occupational Therapists in Middleton, WI earn a median of $87,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.53% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 7.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $94,429.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middleton 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.
Middleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $87,346 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,518 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$71,761
2025 BLS Actual
$84,753
2026 Current Est.
$87,346
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Middleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,761 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,713 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,408 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,263 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,753 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,346 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middleton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $71,761 (2019) to $84,753 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,258 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middleton 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 3.06% 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) | $68,008 – $74,587 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,587 – $87,346 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,346 – $100,392 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,392 – $110,471 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Middleton
Despite a relatively small workforce of just six occupational therapists in Middleton, the local job market remains competitive, particularly for those working in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient settings, which generally offer higher salaries compared to educational and SNF roles. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, residents can expect slightly more purchasing power than the national average; however, this figure still complicates financial considerations for professionals. Therapists seeking the highest wages should focus on employers in settings where the demand for specialized services, such as hand therapy, is strong, as well as pursuing board certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation. This credential often leads to increased pay, as does understanding the variability in compensation driven by factors such as productivity expectations and contract specifics. Maximizing salary potential in Middleton may involve actively seeking opportunities within diverse healthcare setups while remaining informed about how Medicare policy affects local service delivery.
More salary data for Middleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Middleton, WI in 2026?
Is Middleton, WI a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Middleton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Middleton?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Middleton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
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 $84,753 for occupational therapistsin the Middleton metropolitan area. A 3.06% 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 Middleton 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov