Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $63,752 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $63,752/year (≈ $30.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $74,063 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Cape Girardeau can expect a median annual salary of $63,752 in 2026, reflecting local demand for skilled practitioners in this field. The salary range spans from $58,118 at the lower tenth percentile to $76,244 at the ninetieth. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, indicates a competitive market in a city where the growth rate for OTA positions is anticipated to be 2.81% annually over the next five years. It offers a viable career path for those considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge, as advancing one's education can significantly enhance lifetime earnings and expand professional opportunities in both traditional healthcare settings and community-based services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,118 | $27.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,321 | $30.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,752 | $30.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,164 | $36.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,244 | $36.65 |
Median Salary Position
14.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,126 (2026 est.). At $63,752, the local median is 14.23% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cape Girardeau Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $63,752/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,592 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.23% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $63,752 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.23% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% below the Missouri state average of $64,592.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.078 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,752 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,063 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,756
2025 BLS Actual
$62,010
2026 Current Est.
$63,752
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,756 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,982 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,944 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,106 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,473 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,892 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,752 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,756 (2019) to $62,010 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,788 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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) | $58,118 – $63,321 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,321 – $63,752 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,752 – $75,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,164 – $76,244 |
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 Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, there are currently 60 occupational therapy assistants employed, with average salaries reflecting the area's cost of living index at 86.078. This factor indicates that although the earnings may be relatively lower compared to the national average, purchasing power remains reasonable for local residents. Employers like skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals tend to offer the highest pay, influenced by factors such as expected productivity levels and the variance in service demand. The significant discrepancy in salaries can also be attributed to the adjustments made following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, impacting OTAs in settings like skilled nursing and outpatient clinics. To maximize potential earnings in Cape Girardeau, practitioners may consider diversifying their skills or pursuing continued education, which could lead to higher-paying positions in varied settings, including school contracts and home health agencies.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Cape Girardeau, MO in 2026?
Is Cape Girardeau, MO a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Cape Girardeau?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Cape Girardeau?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Cape Girardeau?
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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 $62,010 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Cape Girardeau 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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