Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $29.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Jefferson City, MO runs $29.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,517 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,914 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jefferson City, Missouri, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected at $29.58 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This difference poses a significant consideration for those employed in part-time roles, such as those working three days a week or per-diem positions. In typical environments, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics, the pay ranges from a minimum of $22.05 for entry-level positions to as much as $36.42 for top earners. These estimates are based on projected annual figures, translating the overall demand and compensation within the region into hourly terms for COTAs working under the supervision of registered occupational therapists as required by state regulations.
About the Jefferson City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.05 | $176.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.74 | $205.95 |
| Median (P50) | $29.58 | $236.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.50 | $259.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.42 | $291.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $29.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.58/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $61,523 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,494. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,183.14 | $5,127 | $61,523 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $709.88 | $3,076 | $36,914 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.25 | $2,051 | $24,609 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Jefferson City) | $29.58 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $61,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.24% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.70% below the Missouri state average of $64,551.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.58/hr = $36,914/year (purchasing power: $41,199).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,523/year (purchasing power: $68,664).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Jefferson City grew 17.5% from $24.48/hr (2019) to $28.77/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.41/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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
Capturing the full scope of earnings potential in Jefferson City includes looking at various working arrangements. A part-time occupational therapy assistant dedicating just three days a week—approximately 24 hours—could expect to bring home about $38,260 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. For those in per-diem roles, the potential earnings vary widely; agency COTAs typically bill between $30 and $45 per hour, and travel contracts offer weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700. However, post-2022 Medicare reimbursement cuts have influenced pay rates for positions like skilled nursing facility roles, pushing many COTAs to consider lower hourly rates for benefits such as health insurance. Exploring hourly pay across different types of employers—ranging from outpatient clinics to school districts—reveals varying compensation standards, making it vital for occupational therapy assistants to negotiate effectively based on their specific work context and benefits.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Jefferson City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Jefferson City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Jefferson City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Jefferson City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Jefferson City?
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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
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 Jefferson City. 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 Jefferson City 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