Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Leawood, KS: $31.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Leawood, KS runs $31.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,019 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Leawood's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,005 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Leawood, Kansas, earn a median hourly pay of $31.25, which falls below the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate provides a feasible option for part-time positions, particularly for those working three days a week, yielding around $450 weekly. In typical environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, outpatient clinics, and school therapy rooms, these rates allow for a steady income while accommodating flexible scheduling. Entry-level assistants start at around $23.94 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $37.98, highlighting the broad potential for career advancement within this field. It's important to note that these figures are projections for 2026, derived from annual salary data and expected trends in the labor market.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.94 | $191.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.90 | $215.16 |
| Median (P50) | $31.25 | $250.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.04 | $272.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.98 | $303.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leawood
Based on $31.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.25/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leawood, KS can expect to earn approximately $65,009 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,505. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leawood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leawood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,250.17 | $5,417 | $65,009 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $750.10 | $3,250 | $39,005 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $500.07 | $2,167 | $26,004 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Leawood) | $31.25 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Leawood, KS earn a median of $65,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.80% below the Kansas state average of $67,587.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.25/hr = $39,005/year (purchasing power: $42,910).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,009/year (purchasing power: $71,517).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Leawood grew 17.5% from $25.86/hr (2019) to $30.40/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Leawood
For a part-time occupational therapy assistant in Leawood working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay can sum up to approximately $48,000, significantly less than full-time earnings. Additionally, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Leawood typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, though rates can vary markedly depending on the work setting. For those pursuing travel contracts, compensation can run between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, reflecting higher demand in different locations. Various employer types also impact hourly rates — occupational therapy assistants in outpatient clinics often earn less compared to those in hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities, where higher reimbursement fees may apply. Moreover, while some may prefer an hourly rate with no benefits, others might accept lower pay for job security and health insurance. It's advisable for assistants to consider these factors carefully when negotiating pay, especially in a changing market influenced by Medicare reimbursement trends and the recent cuts affecting therapy services.
More salary data for Leawood, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Leawood in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Leawood?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Leawood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Leawood?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Leawood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Leawood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leawood 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