Occupational Therapist Salary in Missouri: $100,212 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $100,212/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $111,844 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($99,840), Cape Girardeau ($98,990), Columbia ($98,550).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapists in Missouri is projected to be $100,212, which is about 3.1% lower than the national median of $103,400. The city of Kansas City leads the state with a salary of $102,895, while Hannibal offers the lowest at $91,755, indicating a salary gap of $11,140. This difference can be attributed to factors like cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the presence of healthcare facilities that attract therapists to urban areas. Occupational therapists in Missouri must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that can influence job opportunities and salary levels. The projected annual growth rate for the profession in the state is 3.06%, reflecting an increasing demand driven by an aging population and a growing awareness of the importance of rehabilitation services. With a total employment of 4,122 occupational therapists, cities such as Cape Girardeau ($102,019), Columbia ($101,566), Independence ($101,480), and St. Peters ($100,739) also present solid salary options for job seekers. As the need for therapists continues to rise, job market strength appears positive, creating favorable conditions for both current practitioners and those entering the field.
Missouri Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $54,478 (lowest entry-level) to $141,059 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri occupational therapists earn 3.08% less than the national median ($-3,188/year difference).
Missouri Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Missouri range from $74,270 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $124,006 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,212. The Missouri median is $3,188 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $48.18/hr. Approximately 4,122 occupational therapists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,915
2025 BLS Actual
$97,237
2026 Current Est.
$100,212
2019–2027 Growth
+30.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,915 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,172 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,546 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,887 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,469 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,237 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,212 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 23.2% from $78,915 (2019) to $97,237 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,364 (30.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hannibal | $91,755 |
| Raymore | $92,054 |
| Branson | $92,406 |
| Belton | $94,013 |
| Wentzville | $94,814 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $102,019 | 86.078 | $118,519 |
| Columbia | $101,566 | 89.438 | $113,560 |
| Independence | $101,480 | 89.6 | $113,259 |
| Springfield | $100,174 | 88.585 | $113,082 |
| St. Peters | $100,739 | 89.6 | $112,432 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,270 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,212 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $124,006 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $102,895 |
| 2 | Cape Girardeau | $102,019 |
| 3 | Columbia | $101,566 |
| 4 | Independence | $101,480 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $100,739 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $100,549 |
| 7 | Springfield | $100,174 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $99,384 |
| 9 | Florissant | $98,864 |
| 10 | St. Louis | $98,701 |
| 11 | Wildwood | $98,648 |
| 12 | Kirkwood | $98,619 |
| 13 | Lee's Summit | $98,563 |
| 14 | Chesterfield | $98,549 |
| 15 | University City | $98,033 |
| 16 | Jefferson City | $98,020 |
| 17 | Liberty | $97,994 |
| 18 | Grandview | $97,824 |
| 19 | Maryland Heights | $97,662 |
| 20 | Blue Springs | $96,557 |
| 21 | Joplin | $96,268 |
| 22 | Raytown | $95,980 |
| 23 | Webster Groves | $95,502 |
| 24 | St. Joseph | $95,475 |
| 25 | Sedalia | $95,472 |
| 26 | Ballwin | $95,301 |
| 27 | Nixa | $95,292 |
| 28 | Gladstone | $95,039 |
| 29 | Wentzville | $94,814 |
| 30 | Belton | $94,013 |
| 31 | Branson | $92,406 |
| 32 | Raymore | $92,054 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $91,755 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Missouri?
How does Missouri occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Missouri?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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