Occupational Therapist salary in Ames, IA
Occupational Therapists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $73,810 a year ($35.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,840 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 18% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $89,910. There are 0.73 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $77,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,660 | $30.13 |
| 25th percentile | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Median | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| 75th percentile | $93,470 | $44.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Average (mean) | $77,820 | $37.41 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,150.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,075.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,838.85 |
| Weekly | $1,419.42 |
| Hourly | $35.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $98,240 | 80 |
| Dubuque, IA | $94,210 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $93,650 | 820 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $92,600 | 50 |
| Iowa City, IA | $91,560 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $87,390 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $79,690 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,770 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
| Pharmacist | $139,690 | $67.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,000 | $119.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Dentists, General | $163,950 | $78.82 |
| Chiropractor | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Ames, IA metro area is $73,810 a year, or $35.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $99,840 a year. The top 25% earn $93,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,660 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $63,870 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Ames, IA?
About 40 occupational therapists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.