Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kearney, NE: $65,496 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Kearney, NE earns a median $65,496/year (≈ $31.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $71,580 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Kearney, NE, is projected to be a median of $65,496, reflecting the city's unique healthcare environment shaped by changes in Medicare reimbursement policies. The earnings range significantly within this field, from $49,976 at the 10th percentile to $79,668 at the 90th percentile, revealing a diverse landscape influenced by the type of practice setting. Skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals each present varied pay scales, with recent Medicare cuts impacting financial resources, particularly for outpatient and skilled nursing positions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for prospective occupational therapy assistants looking to make informed career decisions in Kearney.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,976 | $24.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,861 | $27.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,496 | $31.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,385 | $34.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,668 | $38.31 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,692 (2026 est.). At $65,496, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be above the median
How Kearney Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Kearney median: $65,496/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $68,013 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.89% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kearney, NE earn a median of $65,496 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $68,013.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,496 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,580 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,199
2025 BLS Actual
$63,706
2026 Current Est.
$65,496
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,199 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,459 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,392 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,613 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,045 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,496 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,199 (2019) to $63,706 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,138 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $49,976 – $57,861 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,861 – $65,496 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,496 – $71,385 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,385 – $79,668 |
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 Kearney
Despite the projected salary being lower than the national average, local market conditions offer some advantages. With only nine occupational therapy assistants employed in Kearney, competition is relatively modest, which may drive localized demand for specialized skills or lower vacancy rates at higher-paying organizations. The cost of living index in Kearney stands at 91.5, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly lower, the purchasing power of local wages can provide a decent standard of living. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehab facilities generally offer better compensation than school districts or skilled nursing facilities, particularly where productivity expectations are higher. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Kearney, focusing on settings that offer year-round contracts, exploring PRN positions, and advocating for increased responsibilities may help professionals align their compensation with their skill sets in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Kearney, NE in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Kearney?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Kearney?
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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 $63,706 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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