Occupational Therapist Salary in Prairie Village, KS: $88,263 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Prairie Village, KS earns a median $88,263/year (≈ $42.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Prairie Village's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $97,099 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Prairie Village, Kansas, the projected median annual occupational therapist salary is $88,263 as of 2026, reflecting a significant impact from the Medicare cuts affecting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient compensation since 2022. The salary range for these professionals spans from $70,657 at the 10th percentile to $111,166 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variance in compensation based on experience and setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, highlight the local salary context. Given the limited number of six occupational therapists currently employed in the area, professionals should consider how these external changes may influence job availability and compensation trends in Prairie Village.
About the Prairie Village Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,657 | $33.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,056 | $37.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,263 | $42.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,158 | $48.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,166 | $53.45 |
Median Salary Position
14.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prairie Village
In Prairie Village, KS, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,509 (2026 est.). At $88,263, the local median is 14.64% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prairie Village: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Prairie Village Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Prairie Village median: $88,263/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prairie Village Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,996 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -14.64% less |
Occupational Therapists in Prairie Village, KS earn a median of $88,263 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.64% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 6.10% below the Kansas state average of $93,996.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prairie Village 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.
Prairie Village, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $88,263 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,099 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,514
2025 BLS Actual
$85,642
2026 Current Est.
$88,263
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Prairie Village (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,514 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,649 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,539 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,262 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,556 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,642 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,263 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,963 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prairie Village metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $72,514 (2019) to $85,642 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,963 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,449 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prairie Village 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) | $70,657 – $77,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,056 – $88,263 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,263 – $101,158 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,158 – $111,166 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Prairie Village
As the cost of living index in Prairie Village sits at 90.9, the purchasing power for occupational therapists is relatively favorable, but the local market is still competitive. Employment opportunities primarily exist in sectors such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehab, and outpatient clinics, with top earner positions usually found in hospitals and skilled nursing environments. Various factors contribute to the differentiation in pay; settings typically influence compensation, with hospitals offering more than schools or outpatient facilities. Additionally, board-certified hand therapists (CHT) command higher salaries, while the current Medicare cuts could compress overall occupational therapist pay in Prairie Village. To maximize earnings, occupational therapists should pursue opportunities that align with high-paying settings, seek board certification, and consider negotiating based on productivity expectations and employment type, whether it be school-year versus year-round contracts.
More salary data for Prairie Village, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Prairie Village, KS in 2026?
Is Prairie Village, KS a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Prairie Village?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Prairie Village?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Prairie Village?
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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 $85,642 for occupational therapistsin the Prairie Village 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 Prairie Village 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