Occupational Therapist Salary in Iowa: $87,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $87,282/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $96,551 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cedar Falls ($100,334), Waterloo ($98,240), Dubuque ($94,210).
The landscape for occupational therapist salaries in Iowa in 2026 shows an average median salary of $87,283, which is 15.6% lower than the national median of $103,400. The highest-paying city, Cedar Falls, offers $103,404, while Ames presents the lowest salary at $76,069, highlighting a salary gap of $27,335 between these locations. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for services, and local funding for health care. Iowa has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that ensure occupational therapists are well-qualified. The state's projected annual growth rate of 3.06% suggests a steady demand for these professionals, driven by an increasing awareness of the importance of rehabilitation services. With a total of 1,056 occupational therapists employed across 26 metro areas, the job market appears stable. Cities like Waterloo ($101,246), Dubuque ($97,093), Sioux City ($95,434), and Iowa City ($94,362) also reflect healthy salary figures, but the variations underscore the importance of geographical factors. As the state continues to evolve in its healthcare offerings, occupational therapy remains a vital field with promising opportunities.
Iowa Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $59,099 (lowest entry-level) to $139,337 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa occupational therapists earn 15.59% less than the national median ($-16,118/year difference).
Iowa Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Iowa range from $69,041 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $117,509 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,282. The Iowa median is $16,118 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $41.96/hr. Approximately 1,056 occupational therapists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,255
2025 BLS Actual
$84,691
2026 Current Est.
$87,282
2019–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,255 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,397 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,264 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,538 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,691 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 8.2% from $78,255 (2019) to $84,691 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,698 (14.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Ames | $76,069 |
| West Des Moines | $80,131 |
| Des Moines | $81,180 |
| Cedar Rapids | $82,129 |
| Fort Dodge | $84,645 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | $101,246 | 87.057 | $116,299 |
| Cedar Falls | $103,404 | 90.4 | $114,385 |
| Dubuque | $97,093 | 87.328 | $111,182 |
| Sioux City | $95,434 | 86.454 | $110,387 |
| Iowa City | $94,362 | 91.509 | $103,118 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $69,041 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,282 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $117,509 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Falls | $103,404 |
| 2 | Waterloo | $101,246 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $97,093 |
| 4 | Sioux City | $95,434 |
| 5 | Iowa City | $94,362 |
| 6 | Marion | $90,674 |
| 7 | Davenport | $90,064 |
| 8 | Ankeny | $89,615 |
| 9 | Council Bluffs | $89,052 |
| 10 | Burlington | $88,542 |
| 11 | Waukee | $88,223 |
| 12 | Urbandale | $88,105 |
| 13 | Bettendorf | $88,098 |
| 14 | Marshalltown | $87,826 |
| 15 | Coralville | $87,710 |
| 16 | Mason City | $87,303 |
| 17 | North Liberty | $86,961 |
| 18 | Clinton | $86,531 |
| 19 | Muscatine | $86,122 |
| 20 | Ottumwa | $85,796 |
| 21 | Johnston | $85,588 |
| 22 | Fort Dodge | $84,645 |
| 23 | Cedar Rapids | $82,129 |
| 24 | Des Moines | $81,180 |
| 25 | West Des Moines | $80,131 |
| 26 | Ames | $76,069 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Iowa?
How does Iowa occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Iowa?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov