Occupational Therapist salary in Iowa
Occupational Therapists in Iowa earn a median of $89,910 a year ($43.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,200 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $100,330. Iowa ranks 44th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 0.82 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $89,720, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| 25th percentile | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Median | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| 75th percentile | $103,100 | $49.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Average (mean) | $89,720 | $43.14 |
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 | $7,492.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,746.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,458.08 |
| Weekly | $1,729.04 |
| Hourly | $43.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $73,810 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,690 | $34.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for occupational therapists in Iowa is $89,910 a year, or $43.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in Iowa earn at least $109,200 a year. The top 25% earn $103,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,610 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $75,810 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Iowa?
About 1,290 occupational therapists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.