Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Missouri
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Missouri earn a median of $66,070 a year ($31.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,930 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $72,300. Missouri ranks 31st of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.50 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,030, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,990 | $24.51 |
| 25th percentile | $59,560 | $28.63 |
| Median | $66,070 | $31.77 |
| 75th percentile | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| Average (mean) | $66,030 | $31.75 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,505.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,752.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,541.15 |
| Weekly | $1,270.58 |
| Hourly | $31.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $71,050 | 400 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $67,450 | 780 |
| Columbia, MO | $62,810 | 80 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $62,010 | 60 |
| Springfield, MO | $61,360 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,080 | $15.90 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Dental Assistant | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,660 | $17.62 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Orderly | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,820 | $18.18 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make in Missouri?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Missouri is $66,070 a year, or $31.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Missouri?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in Missouri earn at least $80,930 a year. The top 25% earn $73,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,990 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $59,560 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Missouri?
About 1,470 occupational therapy assistants are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.