Occupational Therapist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Occupational Therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $78,770 a year ($37.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,770 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 12% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $89,910. There are 0.84 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $87,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| 25th percentile | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Median | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| 75th percentile | $102,830 | $49.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,770 | $52.29 |
| Average (mean) | $87,030 | $41.84 |
Half of occupational therapists 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 | $6,564.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,282.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,029.62 |
| Weekly | $1,514.81 |
| Hourly | $37.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $98,240 | 80 |
| Dubuque, IA | $94,210 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $93,650 | 820 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $92,600 | 50 |
| Iowa City, IA | $91,560 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $87,390 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $79,690 | 110 |
| Ames, IA | $73,810 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Veterinarian | $130,900 | $62.93 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. 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 therapist make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $78,770 a year, or $37.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $108,770 a year. The top 25% earn $102,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,610 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $74,610 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 340 occupational therapists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.