Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Maryland Heights, MO: $63,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Maryland Heights, MO earns a median $63,421/year (≈ $30.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Maryland Heights's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $70,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Maryland Heights, Missouri, the occupational therapy assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $63,421 by 2026, highlighting significant earning potential in this vital healthcare profession. Salary estimates indicate a range from $45,430 at the 10th percentile to as high as $79,419 at the 90th percentile, offering a glimpse into the varied compensation possibilities within the field. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living conditions, reflecting an overall lower-than-national average. For occupational therapy assistants considering their career options in this area, the ongoing opportunity to bridge from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) can enhance both lifetime earning potential and job satisfaction in a steadily growing market.
About the Maryland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,693 | $25.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,421 | $30.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,906 | $32.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,419 | $38.18 |
Median Salary Position
14.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Maryland Heights
In Maryland Heights, MO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,989 (2026 est.). At $63,421, the local median is 14.68% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Maryland Heights: You'd be above the median
How Maryland Heights Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Maryland Heights median: $63,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Maryland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,584 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.68% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Maryland Heights, MO earn a median of $63,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.68% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.80% below the Missouri state average of $64,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Maryland Heights 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.
Maryland Heights, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,421 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,782 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,482
2025 BLS Actual
$61,688
2026 Current Est.
$63,421
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Maryland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,482 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,702 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,669 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,174 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,688 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,204 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland Heights metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,482 (2019) to $61,688 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,204 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,722 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland Heights 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) | $45,430 – $53,693 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,693 – $63,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,421 – $66,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,906 – $79,419 |
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 Maryland Heights
With only five occupational therapy assistants employed in Maryland Heights, the local job market remains relatively small, yet the projected growth rate of 2.81% annually suggests promising opportunities for future job seekers. The cost-of-living index here stands at 89.6, which is below the national average, meaning that while immediate salaries may seem lower in comparison to national figures, the purchasing power allows for a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services typically offer the highest compensation, buoyed further by productivity expectations and potential weekend or PRN pay. The disparity between low and high pay can often be attributed to variations in settings, with hospitals generally perceiving a higher patient need compared to schools or outpatient clinics. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Maryland Heights, pursuing roles in more lucrative settings such as rehabilitation hospitals and staying informed about upcoming Medicare reimbursement strategies will be beneficial.
More salary data for Maryland Heights, 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 $61,688 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights 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