Occupational Therapist jobs in Lawrence, KS
Occupational Therapists in the Lawrence area earn a median of $47.41 per hour, about $98,620 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $39.75 and $52.05. That ranks 109th of 354 U.S. metro areas for occupational therapist pay, and 52nd of 327 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Lawrence. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Lawrence.
- $47.41median pay per hour, Lawrence
- $40–$52typical range per hour
- 40occupational therapists employed in the metro area
- 90cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Occupational Therapist pay in Lawrence, KS
The metro median is 2% above the Kansas statewide median of $46.63 per hour. Nationally the median is $47.28 per hour. BLS counts about 40 occupational therapists employed in the Lawrence metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.79).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $38.82 | $80,750 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $39.75 | $82,680 | 16% below U.S. median |
| Median | $47.41 | $98,620 | in line with U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $52.05 | $108,260 | 10% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $52.05 | $108,260 | 10% above U.S. median |
How Lawrence ranks
- 109th of 354 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 52nd of 327 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st of 4 Kansas metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Lawrence
- Overall prices in Lawrence run 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 28% below the U.S. average (index 71.6).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $47.41 median hour buys what $52.54 buys at the national price level, 11% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Lawrence Occupational Therapist pay report
Named employers near Lawrence, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Lawrence paycheck
- Per year: $85,338
- Per month: $7,111
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Lawrence metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Lawrence
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel occupational therapist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Lawrence
CMS lists 1 hospital in Lawrence, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of occupational therapists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lmh Lawrence, KS | Acute care | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Occupational Therapist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | 24 mi | $46.72/hr | 125,467 |
| Olathe, KS | 25 mi | $47.01/hr | 149,035 |
| Lenexa, KS | 25 mi | $47.01/hr | 59,427 |
| Shawnee, KS | 25 mi | $47.01/hr | 69,724 |
| Kansas City, KS | 30 mi | $47.01/hr | 156,752 |
| Overland Park, KS | 31 mi | $47.01/hr | 202,893 |
Occupational Therapist jobs in Kansas · Occupational Therapist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Kansas
Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Kansas requires for your role with the Kansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Kansas taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Lawrence
Lawrence city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Lawrence, KS?
Occupational Therapists in the Lawrence metro area have a median pay of $47.41 per hour, about $98,620 a year. The middle half earn between $39.75 and $52.05 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Lawrence a good place for occupational therapists once cost of living is counted?
Lawrence ranks 52nd of 327 metro areas for occupational therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 109th of 354 before adjusting. Overall prices run 10% below the U.S. average.
Where do occupational therapists work in Lawrence?
CMS lists 1 hospital in Lawrence, led by Lmh. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Kansas license to work in Lawrence as an occupational therapist?
Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Kansas requires for your role with the Kansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Lawrence?
The federal per diem benchmark in Lawrence is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place occupational therapists in Lawrence?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lawrence and across Kansas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lawrence.
What do employers near Lawrence pay occupational therapists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
25+ Occupational Therapist roles in Kansas, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your OT pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Kansas list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- AmedisysVenice, FL · 5 postings$78.48/ hr$52–$89
- Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 4 postings$67.73/ hr$54–$83
- CommonSpirit HealthNORTHRIDGE, CA · 9 postings$64.73/ hr$48–$81
- Kaweah Delta Health Care DistrictVisalia, CA · 5 postings$62.80/ hr$50–$75
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Kansas list
2What they are offering now
328 OT postings with published pay in the US, 261 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open OT roles
Open OT roles near Lawrence, KS, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.