Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Missouri (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Missouri, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$66,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $72,300
State Rank
#31 of 50
1,470 employed here

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant make in Missouri?

An Occupational Therapy Assistant working in Missouri earns a median salary of $66,070 per year, or about $31.76 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $72,300 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $50,990 while the top 10% make $80,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,560 and $73,790 a year.

Occupational Therapy Assistant salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$50,990$24.51
25th percentile (early career)$59,560$28.63
50th percentile (median)$66,070$31.76
75th percentile (experienced)$73,790$35.48
90th percentile (top earners)$80,930$38.91

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 31st out of 50 states and territories for Occupational Therapy Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$82,010
2California$81,770
3Texas$81,500
4Nevada$79,510
5Arkansas$78,940

Working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Missouri

Nationally, about 51,000 people work as Occupational Therapy Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare Missouri pay ($66,070) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant make in Missouri?
The median Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Missouri is $66,070 per year, or about $31.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,990 at the entry level to $80,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Occupational Therapy Assistants about 9% less than the national median of $72,300. Missouri ranks 31st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $66,070 a year. About 1,470 Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in Missouri. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Occupational Therapy Assistant salary report

Related salaries

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

$80,110
median pay · 230,000 employed

Physical Therapist Assistant

$68,380
median pay · 112,000 employed

Recreational Therapist

$61,960
median pay · 15,000 employed

Acupuncturist

$76,040
median pay · 8,000 employed

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$64,400
median pay · 648,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.