Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Liberal, KS: $63,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Liberal, KS earns a median $63,018/year (≈ $30.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Liberal's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $69,327 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberal, Kansas, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in 2026 stands at $63,018, reflecting significant local dynamics within the healthcare sector. Workers in this field can expect compensation between $49,560 at the lower end to $76,379 at the higher end, as reported in estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. Given the structural divide in settings like skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, the post-Medicare cut environment has created particular challenges and opportunities for COTAs. With expectations high in hospital and outpatient settings, the job market for occupational therapy assistants in Liberal reveals a nuanced landscape shaped by both pay discrepancies and service demands.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,511 | $27.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,018 | $30.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,244 | $31.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,379 | $36.72 |
Median Salary Position
15.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
In Liberal, KS, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,819 (2026 est.). At $63,018, the local median is 15.22% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Liberal: You'd be above the median
How Liberal Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Liberal median: $63,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $67,544 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.22% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Liberal, KS earn a median of $63,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $67,544.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberal has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Liberal, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,327 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,148
2025 BLS Actual
$61,296
2026 Current Est.
$63,018
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,148 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,361 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,471 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,811 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,296 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,789 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberal metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,148 (2019) to $61,296 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,789 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,641 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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) | $49,560 – $56,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,511 – $63,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,018 – $65,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,244 – $76,379 |
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 Liberal
Examining the local job market reveals that only four occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in the area. This limited workforce might contribute to competitive salaries, but the cost of living index at 90.9 indicates that overall purchasing power can be less favorable than in more metropolitan areas. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehab programs are generally positioned to offer higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities, especially in light of the 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services from 2022. The disparities in pay can stem from varied workplace settings, productivity expectations, and specific contract terms, which can differentiate earnings significantly. To maximize compensation opportunities in Liberal, aspiring COTAs might consider focusing on contracts within hospitals and exploring positions that involve weekend or PRN work, as these often carry premium pay rates, enhancing their overall earning potential in a challenging economic landscape.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $61,296 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Liberal 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
Salary data for Liberal 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