Occupational Therapist Salary in Garden City, KS: $93,151 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Garden City, KS earns a median $93,151/year (≈ $44.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Garden City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $102,476 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden City, KS, occupational therapists can expect a median annual salary of $93,151 in 2026, which is about 9.91% lower than the national median of $103,400. The local salary range spans from $68,368 at the lower 10th percentile to $115,892 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variation in pay based on experience and setting. Given Garden City's mix of healthcare settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and school districts, professionals may find themselves faced with trade-offs between year-round contracts typically found in hospitals and school-year positions where summer breaks are standard. The data used here is derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, driving the demand for skilled occupational therapists in this market.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,368 | $32.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,963 | $37.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,151 | $44.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,514 | $51.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,892 | $55.71 |
Median Salary Position
9.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
In Garden City, KS, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,524 (2026 est.). At $93,151, the local median is 9.91% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Garden City: You'd be above the median
How Garden City Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Garden City median: $93,151/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,997 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -9.91% less |
Occupational Therapists in Garden City, KS earn a median of $93,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $93,997.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden City 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.
Garden City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $93,151 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,476 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,530
2025 BLS Actual
$90,385
2026 Current Est.
$93,151
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,728 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,088 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,818 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,574 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,385 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,151 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $76,530 (2019) to $90,385 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,471 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden City 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 3.06% 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) | $68,368 – $76,963 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,963 – $93,151 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,151 – $107,514 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,514 – $115,892 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Garden City
With six occupational therapists currently employed in Garden City, competition for positions remains manageable. The cost of living index stands at 90.9, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power of the income can be relatively strong in this locale. Employers that typically pay higher wages include hospital inpatient rehabilitation units and outpatient hand therapy clinics, as opposed to SNFs and school district contracts, which often offer lower compensation. Factors that contribute to the pay disparity include board certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and the productivity expectations set by employers. Additionally, professionals should consider securing a contract with a full-time or part-time role in hospitals to optimize their earnings. Focusing on gaining specialized certifications and staying attuned to local market demands will be key strategies for maximizing occupational therapist pay in Garden City, KS.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Garden City, KS in 2026?
Is Garden City, KS a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Garden City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Garden City?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Garden City?
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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.
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 $90,385 for occupational therapistsin the Garden City metropolitan area. A 3.06% 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 Garden City 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov