Occupational Therapist salary in Madison, WI
Occupational Therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $95,670 a year ($46.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,610 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 4% 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 $94,180, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| 25th percentile | $80,280 | $38.60 |
| Median | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| 75th percentile | $104,840 | $50.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,610 | $55.58 |
| Average (mean) | $94,180 | $45.28 |
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 | $7,972.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,986.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,679.62 |
| Weekly | $1,839.81 |
| Hourly | $46.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $95,420 | 90 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $94,750 | 70 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $94,020 | 1,220 |
| 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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Pharmacist | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,080 | $63.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Dentists, General | $176,460 | $84.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $329,670 | $158.50 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $340,150 | $163.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, 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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Madison, WI metro area is $95,670 a year, or $46.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $115,610 a year. The top 25% earn $104,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,480 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $80,280 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Madison, WI?
About 610 occupational therapists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.