Per diemPosted 30+ days ago
Occupational Therapist - Inpatient PRN
Mercy · Wisconsin
$60.00–$60.00/ hour
Top 25% pay
Occupational Therapist jobs in La Crosse, WI
The median occupational therapist pay in the La Crosse area is $40.66 per hour ($84,560 a year), with the typical range running from $36.55 to $48.27. That ranks 270th of 354 U.S. metro areas for occupational therapist pay, and 246th of 327 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in La Crosse. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near La Crosse.
- $40.66median pay per hour, La Crosse
- $37–$48typical range per hour
- 100occupational therapists employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Occupational Therapist pay in La Crosse, WI
The metro median is 2% below the Wisconsin statewide median of $41.66 per hour. Nationally the median is $47.28 per hour. BLS counts about 100 occupational therapists employed in the La Crosse-Onalaska metro area, 1.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.20).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $30.89 | $64,250 | 35% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $36.55 | $76,020 | 23% below U.S. median |
| Median | $40.66 | $84,560 | 14% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $48.27 | $100,400 | 2% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $50.78 | $105,620 | 7% above U.S. median |
How La Crosse ranks
- 270th of 354 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 246th of 327 after adjusting for local prices
- 7th of 12 Wisconsin metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in La Crosse
- Overall prices in La Crosse-Onalaska run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $40.66 median hour buys what $44.31 buys at the national price level, 6% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the La Crosse Occupational Therapist pay report
Named employers near La Crosse, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your La Crosse paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,464
- Per year: $73,188
- Per month: $6,099
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the La Crosse-Onalaska metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in La Crosse
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel occupational therapist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Open Occupational Therapist roles in Wisconsin
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in La Crosse as they open.
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) - Prevea Outpatient
Hospital Sisters Health System · De Pere, WI
$34.21–$51.31/ hour
For youUpdated weekly
70+ more Occupational Therapist roles for you in Wisconsin
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Hospitals in La Crosse
CMS lists 2 hospitals in La Crosse, 2 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of occupational therapists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Medical Center Inc La Crosse, WI | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center La Crosse, WI | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Occupational Therapist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | 64 mi | $38.89/hr | 123,624 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 70 mi | $40.54/hr | 72,331 |
| Dubuque, IA | 95 mi | $40.79/hr | 58,987 |
| Madison, WI | 103 mi | $42.78/hr | 285,300 |
| Waterloo, IA | 108 mi | $40.01/hr | 67,477 |
| Woodbury, MN | 112 mi | $41.49/hr | 80,596 |
Occupational Therapist jobs in Wisconsin · Occupational Therapist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Wisconsin
Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Wisconsin requires for your role with the Wisconsin licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Wisconsin taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in La Crosse
La Crosse city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do occupational therapists make in La Crosse, WI?
Occupational Therapists in the La Crosse-Onalaska metro area have a median pay of $40.66 per hour, about $84,560 a year. The middle half earn between $36.55 and $48.27 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is La Crosse a good place for occupational therapists once cost of living is counted?
La Crosse-Onalaska ranks 246th of 327 metro areas for occupational therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 270th of 354 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Where do occupational therapists work in La Crosse?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in La Crosse, led by Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Medical Center Inc. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Wisconsin license to work in La Crosse as an occupational therapist?
Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Wisconsin requires for your role with the Wisconsin licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in La Crosse?
The federal per diem benchmark in La Crosse is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place occupational therapists in La Crosse?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in La Crosse and across Wisconsin. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near La Crosse.
Free for every candidate
What do employers near La Crosse pay occupational therapists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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70+ Occupational Therapist roles in Wisconsin, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your OT pay reportLa Crosse, WI · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Agnesian HealthCare, Inc.Waupun, WI · 1 wage offer$35.81/ hr$36–$36
- Grandison Management, Inc.Manitowoc, WI · 1 wage offer$34.64/ hr$35–$35
- Grandison Management, Inc.Tomahawk, WI · 1 wage offer$34.64/ hr$35–$35
- Grandison Management, Inc.Green Bay, WI · 1 wage offer$33.16/ hr$33–$33
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$34Median$34.55High$35
11 employer-reported wage offers for OT in federal filings in Wisconsin, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 2 OT roles
- Occupational Therapist - Inpatient PRNPer diem$60.00–$60.00/ hour
- Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) - Prevea OutpatientPermanent$34.21–$51.31/ hour
Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.