Occupational Therapist Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $89,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $89,052/year (≈ $42.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $98,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual occupational therapist salary in Council Bluffs, IA, is set at $89,052, reflecting a notable adjustment in the wake of Medicare cuts impacting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient therapy compensation since 2022. Salary projections suggest a range that spans from $63,660 at the 10th percentile to $115,130 at the 90th percentile, providing insights into the possible earnings within this profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local market conditions, highlight the disparities between Council Bluffs and the national median of $103,400, indicating a difference of nearly 13.88%. Understanding the factors contributing to earnings in this region is essential for occupational therapists as they enter a job market affected by local policy shifts and reimbursement changes.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,863 | $35.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,052 | $42.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,705 | $50.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,130 | $55.35 |
Median Salary Position
13.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,470 (2026 est.). At $89,052, the local median is 13.88% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $89,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,186 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -13.88% less |
Occupational Therapists in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $89,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.88% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $92,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $89,052 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,509 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,162
2025 BLS Actual
$86,408
2026 Current Est.
$89,052
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,308 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,696 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,997 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $73,162 (2019) to $86,408 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,615 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $63,660 – $72,863 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,863 – $89,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,052 – $104,705 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,705 – $115,130 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Council Bluffs
The job market for occupational therapists in Council Bluffs currently features around 12 professionals, which offers a modest employment base relative to larger metropolitan areas. The local cost of living index stands at 90.4, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, they align more comfortably with the area's housing and daily expenses, positively affecting take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer the highest compensation, often outpacing outpatient clinics and school district contracts, especially when additional credentials, such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, are taken into account. As the market adapts to the implications of Medicare cuts, occupational therapists in Council Bluffs are encouraged to seek year-round positions and consider specialized certifications to enhance their salary potential, ensuring they remain competitive within a shifting landscape.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Council Bluffs, IA in 2026?
Is Council Bluffs, IA a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Council Bluffs?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Council Bluffs?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Council Bluffs?
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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 $86,408 for occupational therapistsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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