Occupational Therapist Pay

Hannibal vs Kansas City: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Hannibal, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hannibal, MO
$91,755
$44.11/hr
Kansas City, MO
$102,895
$49.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHannibal, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$91,755$102,895
Hourly Rate$44.11$49.47
Entry Level (P10)$71,141$73,059
25th Percentile$78,134$85,519
75th Percentile$103,444$111,336
Top Earner (P90)$112,349$126,723
Total Employed41,360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hannibal ($91,755) and Kansas City ($102,895) occupational therapist salaries.HannibalKansas CityMedian Salary$91,755$102,895Entry Level (P10)$71,141$73,059Top Earner (P90)$112,349$126,723US Median $103,400

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hannibal.

The salary gap between Hannibal and Kansas City is $11,140 (12.14%). Kansas City's median is -0.49% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hannibal spans $41,208,Kansas City spans $53,664. Kansas City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Hannibal
P10 (Entry)$71,141
P25$78,134
Median$91,755
P75$103,444
P90 (Top)$112,349
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$73,059
P25$85,519
Median$102,895
P75$111,336
P90 (Top)$126,723

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($111,186 effective) pays 8.57% more than Hannibal ($102,405 effective).

Hannibal
Nominal: $91,755
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $102,405
Kansas City
Nominal: $102,895
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $111,186

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hannibal if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,895/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,723)
  • Larger job market (1,360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,186)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Hannibal grew 25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.5% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Hannibal, MO

+25.2%

$71,103 (2024) → $89,031 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+22.5%

$81,480 (2019) → $99,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Hannibal or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $102,895/year, compared to Hannibal at $91,755/year — a difference of $11,140 (12.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hannibal and Kansas City?

Hannibal occupational therapists earn $44.11/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $49.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hannibal to Kansas City as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hannibal and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hannibal = $102,405, Kansas City = $111,186), job availability (4 vs 1,360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Hannibal vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $71,141 in Hannibal and $73,059 in Kansas City. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov