Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Prairie Village, KS: $30.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Prairie Village, KS runs $30.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,450 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Prairie Village's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,069 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Prairie Village, KS earn a median hourly rate of $30.50, which is notably lower than the national median hourly pay of $35.74. This disparity may influence part-time workers who typically operate three days a week, allowing for flexible scheduling in various settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics. Per-diem workers in this field face a pay range from $24.35 to $36.31 per hour, reflecting the differences in experience and employer types. Those starting in the profession may find entry-level positions paying closer to $24.35, while seasoned professionals and those in specialized settings can command rates upwards of $36.31. This hourly data reflects estimates derived from annual salary figures, providing a comprehensive understanding of what occupational therapy assistant hourly pay looks like in Prairie Village.
About the Prairie Village Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.35 | $194.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.61 | $220.92 |
| Median (P50) | $30.50 | $244.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.95 | $263.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.31 | $290.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Prairie Village
Based on $30.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.50/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Prairie Village, KS can expect to earn approximately $63,448 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,604. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Prairie Village.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Prairie Village
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,220.15 | $5,287 | $63,448 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $732.09 | $3,172 | $38,069 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.06 | $2,115 | $25,379 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Prairie Village) | $30.50 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Prairie Village, KS earn a median of $63,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.10% below the Kansas state average of $67,572.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.50/hr = $38,069/year (purchasing power: $41,880).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,448/year (purchasing power: $69,800).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Prairie Village (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Prairie Village grew 17.5% from $25.24/hr (2019) to $29.67/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.36/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prairie Village 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Prairie Village
In terms of yearly earnings, a part-time occupational therapy assistant working just 24 hours a week may take home considerably less than their full-time counterparts, impacting overall financial stability. While per diem COTAs often charge between $30 and $45 per hour, travel contracts can provide higher weekly earnings of $1,100 to $1,700, albeit at the cost of job security and benefits. Hourly variations exist across different employer types, with skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally offering lower pay compared to outpatient clinics and home health agencies. The low hourly rate in Prairie Village could lead some COTAs to accept lower-paying positions for access to health insurance and retirement benefits. For those negotiating hourly pay, it's beneficial to leverage local demand and explore full-time job benefits versus higher hourly rates that come with less financial security. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for those considering entry into the occupational therapy assistant field in Prairie Village, especially against the backdrop of the 15% Medicare cut impacting service reimbursement rates.
More salary data for Prairie Village, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Prairie Village in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Prairie Village?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Prairie Village paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Prairie Village?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Prairie Village?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Prairie Village. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Prairie Village 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 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