Occupational Therapist Salary in Coralville, IA: $87,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Coralville, IA earns a median $87,710/year (≈ $42.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $97,024 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Coralville, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $87,710 in 2026, as projected based on 2025 BLS data. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $103,400, reflecting a discrepancy of 15.17%. Local earnings can vary widely, with reported salaries ranging from $65,055 at the 10th percentile to $112,383 at the 90th percentile. These estimates incorporate regional price adjustments, providing an accurate depiction of what professionals in this sector can anticipate within Coralville's healthcare landscape. The job market here, while limited, is supported by a small but steady demand for skilled occupational therapists, particularly those who have achieved the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, which often commands a premium in specialized practices.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,055 | $31.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,544 | $34.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,710 | $42.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,867 | $46.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,383 | $54.03 |
Median Salary Position
15.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,328 (2026 est.). At $87,710, the local median is 15.17% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Coralville median: $87,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,229 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -15.17% less |
Occupational Therapists in Coralville, IA earn a median of $87,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.17% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $92,229.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville 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.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $87,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,024 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,060
2025 BLS Actual
$85,106
2026 Current Est.
$87,710
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,586 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,041 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,747 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,508 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,106 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,394 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $72,060 (2019) to $85,106 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,394 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,334 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $65,055 – $72,544 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,544 – $87,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,710 – $96,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,867 – $112,383 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Coralville
A total of six occupational therapists are currently employed in Coralville, illustrating a focused yet competitive job market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, living in Coralville offers advantages for purchasing power, though it presents unique challenges for maximizing take-home income. Employers that typically offer higher occupational therapist pay in Coralville IA include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, where the demand for therapeutic services is robust. The disparity in salaries is often driven by the setting—hospital positions generally pay more than those in schools or outpatient therapy. Broader considerations also include productivity expectations, the value of additional board certifications like the CHT, and annual contracts versus school-year schedules that can result in varying pay rates. For potential candidates, focusing on specialized certifications and seeking employment within higher-paying institutions are crucial strategies for enhancing compensation in the local market.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Coralville, IA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Coralville?
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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 $85,106 for occupational therapistsin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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