Occupational Therapist Salary in Davenport, IA: $90,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Davenport, IA earns a median $90,064/year (≈ $43.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Davenport's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.1), that paycheck buys what $101,106 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Davenport, IA, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is $90,064, reflecting the current market dynamics influenced by prior Medicare cuts affecting skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and outpatient programs. The salary for this role ranges from $69,937 at the 10th percentile to $139,337 at the 90th percentile, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. As the industry adjusts to these cuts, therapists may experience fluctuations in compensation, with particular settings and specializations dictating pay. The local market currently employs approximately 170 occupational therapists, indicating a steady presence in the field despite external funding challenges.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,937 | $33.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,862 | $37.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,064 | $43.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,028 | $51.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,337 | $66.99 |
Median Salary Position
12.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
In Davenport, IA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,400 (2026 est.). At $90,064, the local median is 12.9% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davenport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davenport Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Davenport median: $90,064/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davenport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,184 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -12.90% less |
Occupational Therapists in Davenport, IA earn a median of $90,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.90% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 2.30% below the Iowa state average of $92,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davenport has a cost of living 10.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davenport, IA has a cost-of-living index of 89.079 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $90,064 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,106 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,740
2025 BLS Actual
$87,390
2026 Current Est.
$90,064
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,820 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davenport metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 27.1% from $68,740 (2019) to $87,390 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,080 (35.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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) | $69,937 – $77,862 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,862 – $90,064 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,064 – $107,028 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,028 – $139,337 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Davenport
Analyzing the local job market reveals nuanced perspectives on occupational therapist pay in Davenport, IA. With a cost-of-living index of 89.079, professionals here experience a lower-than-average expense profile, which can enhance purchasing power. Employers who typically pay more include hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient hand therapy clinics, as opposed to skilled nursing facilities and school districts. The disparity in compensation often hinges on factors such as board certifications, like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), which offer premium pay, as well as productivity expectations and the nature of work contracts. To maximize earnings in Davenport, it’s advisable for therapists to seek settings that leverage specialized skills and consider taking on certifications that enhance their market value.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Davenport, IA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Davenport?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Davenport?
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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 $87,390 for occupational therapistsin the Davenport 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
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