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Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in Wisconsin: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Occupational Therapy Aides salary really buy you in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is 7.7% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$36,760
Median annual (2025)
+8.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$39,826
COL-adjusted (RPP=92.3)

Wisconsin Cost of Living Index

Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 92.3, meaning prices are 7.7% lower the national average. A Occupational Therapy Aides earning $36,760 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $39,826 in an average-cost US state.

WI: 92.3
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $31,360 $33,976 +$2,616
25th Percentile (P25) $34,400 $37,269 +$2,869
Median (P50) $36,760 $39,826 +$3,066
75th Percentile (P75) $44,160 $47,843 +$3,683
90th Percentile (P90) $45,850 $49,674 +$3,824
Key Insight

A Occupational Therapy Aides in Wisconsin earns $36,760 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $39,826 in an average-cost state. This makes Wisconsin one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Wisconsin Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 92.3

Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 92.3 means a basket of goods and services costs about 7.7% less than the national average. For a Occupational Therapy Aides, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.3%

After applying Wisconsin's RPP, the $36,760 median salary translates to $39,827 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Occupational Therapy Aides.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#11 / 27

Wisconsin sits at #11 of 27 states for Occupational Therapy Aides COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Occupational Therapy Aides (After Cost of Living)

Where does Occupational Therapy Aides salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$70,265
RPP 94.2
$50,089
RPP 89.8
$47,439
RPP 91.0
$42,955
RPP 107.6
$42,689
RPP 91.1
$42,142
RPP 106.4
$41,809
RPP 93.4
$41,794
RPP 109.8
9. Indiana
$41,666
RPP 91.8
$40,873
RPP 108.8

Wisconsin ranks #11 out of 27 states for Occupational Therapy Aides after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Occupational Therapy Aides take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Occupational Therapy Aides in Wisconsin after cost of living?

A Occupational Therapy Aides in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $36,760 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $39,826 — a +8.3% difference.

Is Wisconsin expensive to live in?

Wisconsin's cost of living is 7.7% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Wisconsin is 92.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Occupational Therapy Aides in Wisconsin: $36,760 x (100 / 92.3) = $39,826. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Occupational Therapy Aides in Wisconsin financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Occupational Therapy Aides in Wisconsin enjoys 8.3% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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