Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Belton, MO: $61,053 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Belton, MO earns a median $61,053/year (≈ $29.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Belton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $68,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Belton, Missouri, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,053 in 2026, reflecting substantial regional variations and the current dynamics in healthcare funding. The salary range spans from $44,497 at the 10th percentile to $69,671 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience and practice setting. Data derived from 2025 BLS state-level figures, adjusted for local economic conditions, reveal that Belton's compensation is about 17.86% below the national median of $74,332. The impacts of reduced Medicare funding, particularly the 15% cut to Part B services applicable to OTAs, have particularly influenced salary structures, with most occupational therapy assistants drawing their primary wages from skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics.
About the Belton Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,497 | $21.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,997 | $25.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,053 | $29.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,267 | $30.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,671 | $33.50 |
Median Salary Position
17.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belton
In Belton, MO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,174 (2026 est.). At $61,053, the local median is 17.86% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Belton: You'd be above the median
How Belton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Belton median: $61,053/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,606 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -17.86% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Belton, MO earn a median of $61,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.86% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.50% below the Missouri state average of $64,606.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belton has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Belton, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,053 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,522
2025 BLS Actual
$59,384
2026 Current Est.
$61,053
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Belton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,522 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,696 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,702 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,772 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,039 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,522 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,053 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $50,522 (2019) to $59,384 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,246 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belton 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) | $44,497 – $51,997 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,997 – $61,053 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,053 – $64,267 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,267 – $69,671 |
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 Belton
The local job market in Belton comprises only six occupational therapy assistants, emphasizing a tight employment situation that can lead to competitive dynamics among practitioners. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, salaries in Belton hold slightly better purchasing power compared to salaries in more expensive areas, although the overall earnings still fall short of the national benchmark. Employers in Belton that typically offer better pay include hospital inpatient rehab units, which often accommodate year-round contracts and premium weekend shifts. The variation in occupational therapy assistant pay in Belton MO reflects several factors, including the differential productivity expectations across settings and the implications of Medicare reimbursement decreases. For those looking to maximize earnings, taking advantage of contract opportunities in outpatient therapy or exploring COTA-to-MOT progression pathways could be beneficial strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Belton, MO:
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
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 $59,384 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Belton 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 Belton 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