Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Iowa
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $64,140 a year ($30.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,800 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $72,300. Iowa ranks 37th of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.25 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $63,970, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| 25th percentile | $52,990 | $25.48 |
| Median | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| 75th percentile | $74,660 | $35.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,800 | $38.36 |
| Average (mean) | $63,970 | $30.75 |
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 | $5,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,672.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,466.92 |
| Weekly | $1,233.46 |
| Hourly | $30.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,140 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 Therapy Assistant salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $65,930 | 80 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $64,250 | 80 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,560 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,510 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $52,560 | 50 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Massage Therapist | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Orderly | $36,850 | $17.72 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Iowa is $64,140 a year, or $30.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Iowa?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in Iowa earn at least $79,800 a year. The top 25% earn $74,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,670 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $52,990 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Iowa?
About 400 occupational therapy assistants are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.