Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Springfield, MO: $63,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Springfield, MO earns a median $63,084/year (≈ $30.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $71,213 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, MO, the projected median annual compensation for occupational therapy assistants is $63,084 in 2026, reflecting the local job market's productivity expectations and the number of patient visits managed each day. Salaries for this role vary significantly, ranging from $52,042 at the entry-level (P10) to $82,999 for those at the top end of experience and responsibility (P90). This data, derived from BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that local pay is approximately 15.13% lower than the national median of $74,332 for the same year, a trend influenced by the region's economic factors. As Springfield's healthcare sector continues to expand, the demand for skilled occupational therapy assistants remains a key aspect of the city's employment landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,042 | $25.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,637 | $29.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,084 | $30.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,856 | $35.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,999 | $39.90 |
Median Salary Position
15.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, MO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,957 (2026 est.). At $63,084, the local median is 15.13% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Springfield median: $63,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,569 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.13% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Springfield, MO earn a median of $63,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the Missouri state average of $64,569.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 11.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, MO has a cost-of-living index of 88.585 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,084 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,213 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,080
2025 BLS Actual
$61,360
2026 Current Est.
$63,084
2019–2027 Growth
+9.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,857 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 3.9% from $59,080 (2019) to $61,360 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,857 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,777 (9.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $52,042 – $60,637 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,637 – $63,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,084 – $74,856 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,856 – $82,999 |
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 Springfield
The job market in Springfield features around 120 occupational therapy assistants, creating a competitive yet resourceful environment for those entering the field. With a cost of living index of 88.585, professionals in this area enjoy a slightly lower cost of living, which enhances their purchasing power despite the relatively lower salaries when compared to the national trend. Employers in skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest salaries, while positions in school districts may provide less, albeit with more favorable hours and work-life balance. Factors influencing salary variations include the specific care settings (with hospitals typically offering higher pay than schools or skilled nursing facilities) and the increasing demand for productivity amidst recent Medicare reimbursement cuts. For occupational therapy assistants aiming to maximize their pay in Springfield, focusing on settings like inpatient rehab and seeking year-round contracts may present the best opportunities for financial advancement.
More salary data for Springfield, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Springfield, MO in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Springfield?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Springfield?
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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 $61,360 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Springfield 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, 7-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