Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $67,450 a year ($32.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,100 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 2% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $66,070. There are 0.58 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,720, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,990 | $24.51 |
| 25th percentile | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Median | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| 75th percentile | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Average (mean) | $66,720 | $32.08 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,620.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,810.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,594.23 |
| Weekly | $1,297.12 |
| Hourly | $32.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $71,050 | 400 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $67,840 | 1,710 |
| Springfield, IL | $67,140 | 40 |
| Columbia, MO | $62,810 | 80 |
| Rockford, IL | $62,640 | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $62,010 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,510 | 60 |
| Springfield, MO | $61,360 | 120 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $60,840 | 70 |
| Bloomington, IL | $60,050 | 50 |
| Peoria, IL | $55,210 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
See Occupational Therapy Assistant pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,110 | $18.81 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| Orderly | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $42,000 | $20.19 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $67,450 a year, or $32.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $84,100 a year. The top 25% earn $74,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,990 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $61,230 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 780 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.