Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kansas: $66,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $66,081/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,696 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($71,502), Overland Park ($66,795), Lawrence ($66,456).
In Kansas, the projected average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 stands at $66,081, which is 11.1% lower than the national median of $74,332. Geographic disparities in pay are evident, with Kansas City offering the highest salary at $73,511, while Emporia presents the lowest at $62,378. This salary gap of $11,133 can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and local healthcare facilities. Kansas requires occupational therapy assistants to obtain state licensing, which typically involves passing an examination and fulfilling specific educational criteria. The scope of practice laws are designed to ensure safe and effective care, but also may vary slightly from national standards. Demand for occupational therapy assistants in Kansas is driven by an aging population and increasing awareness of rehabilitation services. The overall job market for this profession in Kansas is projected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 2.81%, indicating steady opportunities for employment. With a total of 503 occupational therapy assistants employed statewide, cities like Kansas City, Overland Park, Lawrence, Olathe, and Lenexa present the best prospects for job seekers looking to enter this field in 2026.
Kansas Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $46,163 (lowest entry-level) to $91,305 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas occupational therapy assistants earn 11.1% less than the national median ($-8,251/year difference).
Kansas Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Kansas range from $52,046 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,615 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,081. The Kansas median is $8,251 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $31.77/hr. Approximately 503 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,683
2025 BLS Actual
$64,275
2026 Current Est.
$66,081
2019–2027 Growth
+12.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,318 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,278 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,798 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,588 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,275 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,938 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 5.9% from $60,683 (2019) to $64,275 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,938 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,255 (11.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $62,378 |
| Gardner | $62,658 |
| Liberal | $63,018 |
| Hays | $63,262 |
| Prairie Village | $63,450 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $73,511 | 90.9 | $80,870 |
| Overland Park | $68,672 | 90.9 | $75,547 |
| Lawrence | $68,323 | 90.9 | $75,163 |
| Olathe | $67,798 | 90.9 | $74,585 |
| Lenexa | $67,634 | 90.9 | $74,405 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,046 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,081 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,615 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $73,511 |
| 2 | Overland Park | $68,672 |
| 3 | Lawrence | $68,323 |
| 4 | Olathe | $67,798 |
| 5 | Lenexa | $67,634 |
| 6 | Garden City | $66,963 |
| 7 | Derby | $66,629 |
| 8 | Hutchinson | $66,100 |
| 9 | Leavenworth | $66,078 |
| 10 | Wichita | $66,055 |
| 11 | Shawnee | $65,867 |
| 12 | Salina | $65,381 |
| 13 | Leawood | $65,019 |
| 14 | Manhattan | $64,133 |
| 15 | Dodge City | $63,923 |
| 16 | Junction City | $63,720 |
| 17 | Topeka | $63,475 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $63,450 |
| 19 | Hays | $63,262 |
| 20 | Liberal | $63,018 |
| 21 | Gardner | $62,658 |
| 22 | Emporia | $62,378 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Kansas?
How does Kansas occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Kansas?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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