Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Nixa, MO: $61,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Nixa, MO earns a median $61,883/year (≈ $29.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Nixa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $69,066 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Nixa, Missouri, can expect a median annual salary of $61,883 in 2026. This figure operates within a salary range from $46,543 at the 10th percentile to $72,360 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variation based on experience and employment setting. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the distinct divide in pay influenced by workplace context. Following recent Medicare cuts, the demand has shifted, particularly affecting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, while educational contracts may offer more stability in pay despite generally lower rates.
About the Nixa Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,543 | $22.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,753 | $25.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,883 | $29.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,034 | $31.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,360 | $34.79 |
Median Salary Position
16.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nixa
In Nixa, MO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,817 (2026 est.). At $61,883, the local median is 16.75% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Nixa: You'd be above the median
How Nixa Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Nixa median: $61,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nixa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,596 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.75% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nixa, MO earn a median of $61,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.75% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.20% below the Missouri state average of $64,596.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nixa 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.
Nixa, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,066 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,209
2025 BLS Actual
$60,192
2026 Current Est.
$61,883
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nixa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,392 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,788 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nixa metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,209 (2019) to $60,192 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,413 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nixa 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) | $46,543 – $53,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,753 – $61,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,883 – $66,034 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,034 – $72,360 |
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 Nixa
Within the Nixa job market, there are currently six employed occupational therapy assistants, which adds a layer of competition among practitioners. With a cost-of-living index at 89.6, local salaries may stretch further compared to national averages, offering reasonable purchasing power. Employers like hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities typically offer higher salaries over skilled nursing and education settings, where the pay tends to be lower due to recent reimbursement cuts. Strategies for optimizing earnings in Nixa include seeking positions in hospitals or specialized outpatient clinics, as well as pursuing additional certifications that enhance marketability. The impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement reduction in 2022 continues to ripple through the market and can influence salary negotiations, making it vital for COTAs to stay informed about shifts in the industry and leverage their qualifications effectively.
More salary data for Nixa, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Nixa, MO in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Nixa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Nixa?
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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 $60,192 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Nixa 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 Nixa 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