Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Hays, KS: $63,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Hays, KS earns a median $63,262/year (≈ $30.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Hays's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $69,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hays, Kansas, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $63,262, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332, reflecting a difference of nearly 15%. The local salary range spans from $50,372 at the 10th percentile to $74,810 at the 90th percentile, with many COTAs working towards enhancing their pay through further education pathways, such as transitioning from a COTA to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS information and adjusted for regional economic factors, highlight Hays's unique position within the job market for occupational therapy, suggesting that while salaries may lag behind national averages, opportunities for advancement exist.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,372 | $24.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,262 | $30.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,164 | $32.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,810 | $35.96 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hays
In Hays, KS, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,438 (2026 est.). At $63,262, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Hays: You'd be above the median
How Hays Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Hays median: $63,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hays Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $67,588 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.89% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hays, KS earn a median of $63,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $67,588.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hays has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hays, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,262 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,595 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,350
2025 BLS Actual
$61,533
2026 Current Est.
$63,262
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,567 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,537 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,031 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,767 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,533 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,040 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hays metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,350 (2019) to $61,533 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,690 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,372 – $57,030 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,030 – $63,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,262 – $68,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,164 – $74,810 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Hays
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Hays comprises only five practitioners, which indicates a small but specialized field. With a cost-of-living index at 90.9, salaries here stretch further than those in areas with higher living costs. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay, followed by hospital inpatient rehab settings, while school district contracts and outpatient clinics might provide lower compensation due to budget constraints affected by the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursement for OTA services implemented in 2022. To maximize earnings, COTAs in Hays could consider seeking employment in settings that offer year-round contracts, taking advantage of weekend or PRN premium pay, and pursuing additional certifications that could elevate their professional standing within the community.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Hays?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,533 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Hays metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hays 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