Occupational Therapist Salary in Lawrence, KS: $104,152 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Lawrence, KS earns a median $104,152/year (≈ $50.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $115,413 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For occupational therapists in Lawrence, KS, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is anticipated to reach $104,152, demonstrating a slight increase compared to the national median of $103,400. Salary ranges for the profession reflect significant variance, with figures from the 10th percentile at $86,509 and those at the 90th percentile reaching up to $120,384. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting how local compensation is influenced by broader healthcare trends. Since the cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates impacted skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient care post-2022, those operating in these settings may experience pressures on pay scales.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,509 | $41.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,590 | $42.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,152 | $50.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,384 | $57.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,384 | $57.88 |
Median Salary Position
0.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,875 (2026 est.). At $104,152, the local median is 0.73% above the national median of $103,400.
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How Lawrence Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $104,152/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $94,000 | +10.80% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +0.73% more |
Occupational Therapists in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $104,152 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.73% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 10.80% above the Kansas state average of $94,000.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $104,152 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,413 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,850
2025 BLS Actual
$101,060
2026 Current Est.
$104,152
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,152 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,340 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 23.5% from $81,850 (2019) to $101,060 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,490 (31.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $86,509 – $88,590 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,590 – $104,152 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,152 – $120,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,384 – $120,384 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Lawrence
The occupational therapist job market in Lawrence is relatively strong, with 50 professionals currently employed in this field. The cost-of-living index in the area is at 90.243, suggesting that although local salaries may be slightly above national levels, buying power is affected by the lower cost environment. Facilities such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer the most competitive salaries, whereas school contracts often come with varied earnings depending on whether they follow a year-round or school-year schedule. Factors contributing to pay disparities include setting differences, which place hospitals at the top compared to schools and SNFs, along with additional stipends for board certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). To maximize occupational therapist pay in Lawrence, professionals should consider pursuing CHT certifications, aiming for positions in higher-paying environments, and negotiating their contracts based on productivity expectations and specialized skills.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Lawrence, KS in 2026?
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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 $101,060 for occupational therapistsin the Lawrence 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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