Occupational Therapist Salary in Clinton, IA: $86,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Clinton, IA earns a median $86,531/year (≈ $41.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Clinton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $95,720 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for an occupational therapist in Clinton, IA, is projected to be $86,531. This figure is notable when compared to the national median of $103,400, indicating a regional premium for professionals who achieve the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) specialty. In the local job market, salaries range from $66,855 at the 10th percentile to $108,867 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a spectrum of opportunities based on experience, credentials, and workplace settings. The estimates provided derive from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price differences, positioning Clinton's occupational therapist pay as relatively competitive yet indicative of local economic conditions that may impact overall compensation.
About the Clinton Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,855 | $32.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,514 | $35.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,531 | $41.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,100 | $47.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,867 | $52.34 |
Median Salary Position
16.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clinton
In Clinton, IA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,012 (2026 est.). At $86,531, the local median is 16.31% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clinton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clinton Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Clinton median: $86,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clinton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,251 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -16.31% less |
Occupational Therapists in Clinton, IA earn a median of $86,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.31% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 6.20% below the Iowa state average of $92,251.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clinton has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clinton, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $86,531 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,720 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,091
2025 BLS Actual
$83,962
2026 Current Est.
$86,531
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Clinton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,091 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,204 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,978 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,962 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,179 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clinton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $71,091 (2019) to $83,962 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,088 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clinton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,855 – $73,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,514 – $86,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,531 – $99,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,100 – $108,867 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Clinton
The job market in Clinton hosts six occupational therapists, suggesting a limited but essential workforce in this healthcare sector. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4—below the national average—take-home purchasing power holds significance for professionals working in the area. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehab units, and outpatient clinics tend to offer the highest wages, leveraging their need for certified specialists. Factors contributing to pay disparities include work settings, the pursuit of board certifications like CHT, and contrasting productivity expectations between various healthcare settings. To maximize pay in Clinton, occupational therapists should seek positions in inpatient facilities, pursue additional certifications, and advocate for contracts that align with year-round service needs, particularly in markets where demand shifts due to Medicare policy changes affecting reimbursement rates for outpatient and skilled nursing services.
More salary data for Clinton, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Clinton, IA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Clinton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Clinton?
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Career Resources
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,962 for occupational therapistsin the Clinton metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Clinton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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