Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Sedalia, MO: $62,000 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Sedalia, MO earns a median $62,000/year (≈ $29.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Sedalia's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $69,196 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salary in Sedalia, Missouri, reflects the challenging realities of the healthcare landscape, especially following the Medicare cuts that took effect in 2022. In 2026, COTAs can expect to earn a median annual income of $62,000, which is considerably lower than the national median of $74,332. Local compensation ranges from $46,833 at the 10th percentile to $70,593 at the 90th percentile, revealing the disparity in pay across different settings such as skilled nursing facilities (SNF), schools, and hospitals. Job opportunities here are influenced by varying employer structures, impacting salary negotiations for new and existing occupational therapy assistants in Sedalia MO as they consider where to practice.
About the Sedalia Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,833 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,001 | $25.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,000 | $29.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,593 | $33.94 |
Median Salary Position
16.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sedalia
In Sedalia, MO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,760 (2026 est.). At $62,000, the local median is 16.59% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sedalia: You'd be above the median
How Sedalia Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Sedalia median: $62,000/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sedalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,583 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.59% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sedalia, MO earn a median of $62,000 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.59% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% below the Missouri state average of $64,583.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sedalia 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.
Sedalia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,000 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,196 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$51,305
2025 BLS Actual
$60,305
2026 Current Est.
$62,000
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sedalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,305 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,498 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,489 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,591 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,893 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,336 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,305 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,000 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,742 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sedalia metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,305 (2019) to $60,305 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,742 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,437 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sedalia 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) | $46,833 – $54,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,001 – $62,000 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,000 – $64,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,980 – $70,593 |
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 Sedalia
Despite the challenges, Sedalia’s job market shows potential for occupational therapy assistants, with six positions currently filled. The cost-of-living index sitting at 89.6 suggests that while salaries may appear lower compared to national averages, local purchasing power can have its advantages. Skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to offer competitive wages, especially when factoring in productivity expectations and the demands of the occupational therapy assistant role. The disparity between lower and higher wages can often be attributed to setting, with hospital roles generally commanding more due to the intensity of care required. To maximize earning potential, aspiring COTAs in Sedalia might consider seeking employment in outpatient rehabilitation or facilities that offer weekend or PRN shifts, as these typically pay a premium over standard contract rates. Additionally, considering year-round contracts could help maintain a stable income amidst the fluctuating market conditions shaped by CMS policy changes.
More salary data for Sedalia, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Sedalia, MO in 2026?
Is Sedalia, MO a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Sedalia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Sedalia?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Sedalia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $60,305 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Sedalia 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 Sedalia 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