OT Assistant Salary

Kansas City vs Raytown: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Kansas City, MO and Raytown, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$73,047
$35.12/hr
Raytown, MO
$62,330
$29.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MORaytown, MO
Median Salary$73,047$62,330
Hourly Rate$35.12$29.97
Entry Level (P10)$57,152$47,995
25th Percentile$65,469$55,241
75th Percentile$80,747$68,152
Top Earner (P90)$83,821$75,943
Total Employed4004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($73,047) and Raytown ($62,330) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Kansas CityRaytownMedian Salary$73,047$62,330Entry Level (P10)$57,152$47,995Top Earner (P90)$83,821$75,943US Median $74,332

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Raytown.

The salary gap between Kansas City and Raytown is $10,717 (17.19%). Kansas City's median is -1.73% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $26,669,Raytown spans $27,948. Raytown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$57,152
P25$65,469
Median$73,047
P75$80,747
P90 (Top)$83,821
Raytown
P10 (Entry)$47,995
P25$55,241
Median$62,330
P75$68,152
P90 (Top)$75,943

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($78,933 effective) pays 13.47% more than Raytown ($69,565 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $73,047
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $78,933
Raytown
Nominal: $62,330
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $69,565

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,047/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,821)
  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,933)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Raytown if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Kansas City grew 19.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in Raytown over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+19.9%

$59,250 (2019) → $71,050 (2025)

Raytown, MO

+13.1%

$53,620 (2024) → $60,626 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Kansas City or Raytown?

Kansas City has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,047/year, compared to Raytown at $62,330/year — a difference of $10,717 (17.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Raytown?

Kansas City occupational therapy assistants earn $35.12/hr while Raytown hygienists earn $29.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Raytown as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Raytown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $78,933, Raytown = $69,565), job availability (400 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Kansas City vs Raytown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $57,152 in Kansas City and $47,995 in Raytown. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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