Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Topeka, KS: $56,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Topeka, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,669 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Topeka's local price level (BEA RPP 88.8 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $63,802 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,475) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting your career as an occupational therapy assistant in Topeka, Kansas, offers a starting salary around $56,669, significantly below the city median of $63,475. This gap indicates that new graduates should manage their salary expectations while entering the workforce. Over their initial years, entry-level professionals can anticipate gradual growth; from the starting figure, salaries can progress to $57,553 within the first year or two, ultimately aiming for the median as they gain experience. Although an entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Topeka lags behind national averages, the local job market remains favorable for recent graduates due to a projected annual growth rate of 2.81%, signaling steady demand for this profession in the region.
Career Earnings Timeline in Topeka
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Topeka, KS typically start between $56,669 and $57,553 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $16,501 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,475 — 14.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Kansas of $14,000 represents just 24.70% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($56,669/year) in Topeka. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school settings.
OTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Topeka
- 1Research the Topeka market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $56,669 to $57,553, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Topeka, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Topeka for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Topeka's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Compensation Range
The occupational therapy assistant wage spread in Topeka is $16,501 ( 29.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,669, experienced hygienists can earn up to $73,170.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,150
2025 BLS Actual
$55,120
2026 Current Est.
$56,669
2019–2027 Growth
+41.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,261 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Topeka, KS grew 33.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,150 in 2019 to $55,120 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,261. New graduates entering the Topeka job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Topeka
In Topeka, many healthcare facilities actively seek to hire new graduates, particularly skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that often require occupational therapy assistants for rehabilitation services. School districts also present opportunities for COTAs, allowing for summer-off schedules, which can be appealing to those entering the profession. While outpatient clinics typically prefer to hire experienced COTAs, they do offer training for new professionals focused on specialized areas such as pediatrics or hand therapy. Credentials like an Associate's degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, passing the NBCOT national exam, and obtaining a state OTA license are vital to enhancing starting pay in Kansas. In the first three years, new occupational therapy assistants should expect realistic salary growth that reflects local market conditions and the recent changes in Medicare reimbursements that have affected wages across the board. By aligning their career strategy with industry trends and focusing on continued education opportunities, recent graduates can position themselves for advancement in this essential field.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Topeka. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov