Occupational Therapist Salary in Superior, WI: $90,398 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Superior, WI earns a median $90,398/year (≈ $43.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Superior's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $96,786 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapist salary in Superior, WI, is projected to reach a median of $90,398, reflecting a significant local compensation package that positions it below the national median of $103,400. Salaries in the region will range from $68,637 for the lower 10th percentile to $118,485 for the top 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on various employment settings. Those considering a career in occupational therapy in Superior must weigh structural decisions between working in hospital settings, school districts, or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), particularly regarding year-round positions versus those tied to the academic calendar. This decision impacts both salary and job stability, creating distinct patterns in the market for occupational therapist pay in Superior, WI.
About the Superior Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,637 | $33.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,307 | $36.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,398 | $43.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,852 | $50.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,485 | $56.96 |
Median Salary Position
12.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Superior
In Superior, WI, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,848 (2026 est.). At $90,398, the local median is 12.57% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Superior: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Superior Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Superior median: $90,398/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Superior Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $94,460 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -12.57% less |
Occupational Therapists in Superior, WI earn a median of $90,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.57% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 4.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $94,460.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Superior 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.
Superior, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $90,398 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,786 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,268
2025 BLS Actual
$87,714
2026 Current Est.
$90,398
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Superior (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,268 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,431 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,252 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,714 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,398 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Superior metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $74,268 (2019) to $87,714 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,896 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Superior 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) | $68,637 – $76,307 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,307 – $90,398 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,398 – $105,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,852 – $118,485 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Superior
Analyzing the occupational therapy job market in Superior reveals that only seven occupational therapists are employed locally, highlighting a relatively small professional community. The cost of living index for the area is at 93.4, which results in a more favorable purchasing power for therapists compared to many other regions. Employers that commonly offer more competitive salaries include hospital inpatient rehab centers due to their funding capabilities, as opposed to school districts or SNFs where budget constraints can limit pay. Variations in compensation reflect this hierarchy, often driven by factors such as board certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, productivity expectations, and changes in Medicare policies affecting SNFs. For those entering the job market, pursuing specialty certifications and considering a varied employment setting could maximize earnings in this specific area of Wisconsin.
More salary data for Superior, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Superior, WI in 2026?
Is Superior, WI a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Superior?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Superior?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Superior?
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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 $87,714 for occupational therapistsin the Superior 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 Superior 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