Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Columbia, MO: $64,575 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Columbia, MO earns a median $64,575/year (≈ $31.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $72,201 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 projected salary for occupational therapy assistants in Columbia, Missouri, is $64,575, which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession in Columbia varies from $57,121 at the 10th percentile to $75,113 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse job settings and the impact of factors such as the 15% Medicare cut. Data from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys highlights how shifts in reimbursement affect pay scales, with skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and schools generally offering lower compensation compared to hospital settings. This economic reality leads many COTAs to reconsider their employment options amidst a challenging funding climate.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,121 | $27.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,437 | $30.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,575 | $31.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,311 | $35.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,113 | $36.12 |
Median Salary Position
13.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, MO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,992 (2026 est.). At $64,575, the local median is 13.13% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Columbia median: $64,575/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.13% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Columbia, MO earn a median of $64,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 10.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.438 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,575 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,201 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,436
2025 BLS Actual
$62,810
2026 Current Est.
$64,575
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,436 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,679 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,575 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,390 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,436 (2019) to $62,810 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,390 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,954 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $57,121 – $62,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,437 – $64,575 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,575 – $74,311 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,311 – $75,113 |
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 Columbia
Columbia's job market currently accommodates around 80 occupational therapy assistants, which signals competitive opportunities in a city with a cost of living index of 89.438. This index indicates that while salaries may lag behind national averages, the lower living costs enhance take-home purchasing power. Among various employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to provide the most favorable pay rates, which are often bolstered by demand for skilled care amidst ongoing reimbursement challenges. The variation in compensation levels can be influenced by several factors, including employment setting, production demands, weekend or PRN premiums, and the differences in contracts offered during school years versus year-round. For occupational therapy assistants, maximizing pay in Columbia may involve seeking positions in higher-paying facilities or exploring additional certifications to enhance job prospects and negotiate better salaries.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Columbia, MO in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Columbia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Columbia?
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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 $62,810 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Columbia 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, 5-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