Occupational Therapists Salary
Occupational Therapists in Missouri make a median of $97,290 a year, or about $46.77 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $120K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $109,351 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 17.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in Missouri?
About occupational therapists
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What this looks like in Missouri
Occupational therapists pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $97K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 3% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 18% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $120K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Therapists salary by metro in Missouri
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $100K | +3% | 1,360 |
| Cape Girardeau | $99K | +2% | 70 |
| Columbia | $99K | +1% | 160 |
| Springfield | $97K | -0% | 270 |
| St. Louis | $96K | -2% | 1,860 |
| Jefferson City | $95K | -2% | 50 |
| Joplin | $93K | -4% | 70 |
| St. Joseph | $93K | -5% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track occupational therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a occupational therapist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 18% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for occupational therapists in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new occupational therapists typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,313/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 25% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is occupational therapist a high-paying job in Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $97K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for occupational therapists?
Missouri pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $109K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do occupational therapists make in Missouri?
The median is $97,290 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,880, and experienced occupational therapists can clear $120,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,081/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 18% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a occupational therapists salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median occupational therapists salary is worth about $109,351 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.