Occupational Therapist Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $95,444 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $95,444/year (≈ $45.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $102,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, occupational therapist salaries in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, are projected to reach a median annual amount of $95,444, which is approximately 7.69% lower than the national median of $103,400. These estimates indicate a salary range that starts at $67,927 at the 10th percentile and goes up to $107,028 for the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, reflects the local job market dynamics where therapists often choose between working in hospitals, schools, or skilled nursing facilities. Each setting presents unique compensation structures and job demands, including considerations for the school-year versus year-round employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,927 | $32.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,047 | $38.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,444 | $45.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,597 | $48.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,028 | $51.46 |
Median Salary Position
7.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,101 (2026 est.). At $95,444, the local median is 7.69% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be above the median
How Eau Claire Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $95,444/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $94,499 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | -7.69% less |
Occupational Therapists in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $95,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.69% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 1.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $94,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $95,444 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,854 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% 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
$72,710
2025 BLS Actual
$92,610
2026 Current Est.
$95,444
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,444 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 27.4% from $72,710 (2019) to $92,610 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,654 (35.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $67,927 – $80,047 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,047 – $95,444 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,444 – $101,597 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,597 – $107,028 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, there are 90 dedicated occupational therapists employed, highlighting a solid local job market with competitive demand. With a cost of living index at 92.796, the purchasing power for these professionals remains favorable despite slightly lower salaries compared to the national average. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services typically offer the highest pay, while school district contracts may yield lower salaries due to their seasonal nature. Factors influencing the range in occupational therapist pay in Eau Claire include the setting of practice, productivity expectations, and the impact of Medicare reimbursement models on outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities. To optimize earning potential, aspiring occupational therapists are encouraged to seek board certifications, such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, which can command higher premiums. Additionally, building a diverse skill set and taking advantage of year-round employment opportunities may enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Eau Claire, WI in 2026?
Is Eau Claire, WI a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Eau Claire?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Eau Claire?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Eau Claire?
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 $92,610 for occupational therapistsin the Eau Claire 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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