Occupational Therapist salary in Iowa City, IA
Occupational Therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $91,560 a year ($44.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,460 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $89,910. There are 1.1 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,330, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| 25th percentile | $74,120 | $35.63 |
| Median | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| 75th percentile | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,460 | $50.70 |
| Average (mean) | $89,330 | $42.95 |
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 | $7,630 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,815 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,521.54 |
| Weekly | $1,760.77 |
| Hourly | $44.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $91,560 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 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $87,390 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $79,690 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,770 | 340 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| Physicians, All Other | $257,340 | $123.72 |
| Pharmacist | $142,530 | $68.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,480 | $45.42 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| Chiropractor | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Dentists, General | $199,410 | $95.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $91,560 a year, or $44.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $105,460 a year. The top 25% earn $103,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,780 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $74,120 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Iowa City, IA?
About 100 occupational therapists are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.