Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Prairie Village, KS: $63,450 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Prairie Village, KS earns a median $63,450/year (≈ $30.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Prairie Village's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $69,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Prairie Village, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $63,450 in 2026, reflecting the growing demand for these professionals in the healthcare sector. Local salary ranges suggest that entry-level positions may start at $50,634, while seasoned practitioners can earn up to $75,538 annually. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive yet slightly lower salary compared to the national median of $74,332, positioning Prairie Village as an intriguing market for COTAs. The potential earnings for occupational therapy assistants can be further enhanced by pursuing advanced qualifications, such as transitioning from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), which can positively impact lifetime pay and job opportunities.
About the Prairie Village Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,634 | $24.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,432 | $27.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,450 | $30.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,538 | $32.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,538 | $36.31 |
Median Salary Position
14.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prairie Village
In Prairie Village, KS, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,904 (2026 est.). At $63,450, the local median is 14.64% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Prairie Village: You'd be above the median
How Prairie Village Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Prairie Village median: $63,450/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prairie Village Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $67,572 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.64% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Prairie Village, KS earn a median of $63,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.10% below the Kansas state average of $67,572.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prairie Village 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.
Prairie Village, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,450 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,506
2025 BLS Actual
$61,716
2026 Current Est.
$63,450
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Prairie Village (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,506 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,726 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,844 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,716 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,450 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,233 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prairie Village metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,506 (2019) to $61,716 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,233 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,727 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prairie Village 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) | $50,634 – $57,432 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,432 – $63,450 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,450 – $68,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,538 – $75,538 |
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 Prairie Village
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Prairie Village appears steady, with six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 90.9, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than in other regions, the purchasing power remains relatively stable, making local compensation more appealing. Among various employers, outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities offer higher pay compared to school districts and home health agencies, though variability exists depending on clinical settings and contract types. Factors like productivity expectations and the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which began affecting OTA services in 2022, contribute to the disparity in salaries. For those aiming to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Prairie Village, targeting higher-paying clinical environments and considering year-round contracts could prove advantageous.
More salary data for Prairie Village, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Prairie Village, KS in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Prairie Village?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Prairie Village?
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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 $61,716 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Prairie Village 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 Prairie Village 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