Occupational Therapy Assistant in Missouri: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Missouri employs 1,470 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $66,070 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.
What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Missouri (May 2025)
- Missouri median pay
- $66,070 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $50,990
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $73,790
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $80,930
- Employed in Missouri
- 1,470
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $68,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Missouri markets:
- Kansas City metro
- $71,050 (400 employed)
- St. Louis metro
- $67,450 (780 employed)
- Columbia
- $62,810 (80 employed)
- Springfield
- $61,360 (120 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri
Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,070 median stretches to roughly $72,764 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)
Missouri is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +21.8%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 290 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Missouri License and Certification Requirements
Occupational Therapy Assistant license — regulated by the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy.
- Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.
- Pass the NBCOT COTA examination.
- Apply through the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy.
Official requirements: Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy →
Training in Missouri
School districts, rehab hospitals, and skilled nursing anchor MO demand. Programs at STLCC, Metropolitan CC, and Ozarks Technical keep entry costs low.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:
- Bolivar Technical College — Associate
- Bryan University — Associate
- Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — Associate
- Concorde Career College-Kansas City — Associate
Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Missouri
Real Missouri outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:
- Cora Physical Therapy-Arnold — Arnold
- Cora Physical Therapy-Ballwin — Ballwin
- Empowerme Rehabilitation Blue Springs — Blue Springs
- Healing Arts Center — Branson
- Select Physical Therapy - Cape Girardeau — Cape Girardeau
- Rehabilitation Professionals Inc — Clayton
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.
Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.
Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
First Steps
Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Missouri?
The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Missouri is $66,070 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,990, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,930. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Missouri?
Occupational Therapy Assistant license, overseen by the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.
Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Missouri?
Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
Which Missouri metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?
Among Missouri metro areas, Kansas City metro leads at $71,050, followed by St. Louis metro ($67,450), Columbia ($62,810). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Missouri?
Real Missouri options include Bolivar Technical College, Bryan University, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Missouri?
Missouri projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +21.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 290 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Missouri wages · Missouri licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.