Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ballwin, MO: $61,889 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ballwin, MO earns a median $61,889/year (≈ $29.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ballwin's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $69,073 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual occupational therapy assistant salary in Ballwin, Missouri, reaches $61,889. This figure places local compensation about 16.74% below the national median of $74,332. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $45,141 at the 10th percentile up to $74,714 for those in the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the dynamics in Ballwin's job market, particularly in response to the recent Medicare cuts that have impacted pay structures across various settings. The distinctions among skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehabilitation, and school district contracts can heavily influence salary levels, making the area a competitive field for occupational therapy assistants.
About the Ballwin Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,141 | $21.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,943 | $25.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,889 | $29.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,108 | $32.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,714 | $35.92 |
Median Salary Position
16.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ballwin
In Ballwin, MO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,573 (2026 est.). At $61,889, the local median is 16.74% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Ballwin: You'd be above the median
How Ballwin Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ballwin median: $61,889/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ballwin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,602 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.74% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ballwin, MO earn a median of $61,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.74% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.20% below the Missouri state average of $64,602.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ballwin has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ballwin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,889 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,073 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,213
2025 BLS Actual
$60,197
2026 Current Est.
$61,889
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ballwin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,213 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,404 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,396 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,495 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,793 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,241 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,889 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,628 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ballwin metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,213 (2019) to $60,197 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,628 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,415 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ballwin 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) | $45,141 – $52,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,943 – $61,889 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,889 – $67,108 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,108 – $74,714 |
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 Ballwin
Employment opportunities in Ballwin are modest, with only four occupational therapy assistants currently working in the local area. This limited job market may contribute to the cost of living index sitting at 89.6, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can positively affect take-home pay. Among local employers, hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, followed by outpatient clinics and school districts. Factors that drive variances in pay include job setting, which influences workload and productivity expectations, as well as the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting skilled nursing and outpatient services. To maximize earnings, occupational therapy assistants in Ballwin should consider options such as securing positions with hospitals or taking on PRN shifts to cover weekends and holidays, capitalizing on premium pay opportunities while navigating the evolving landscape of reimbursement policies.
More salary data for Ballwin, MO:
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 $60,197 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ballwin 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 Ballwin 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