Occupational Therapist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Occupational Therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $98,240 a year ($47.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,190 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 9% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $89,910. There are 0.90 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,850, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| 25th percentile | $82,440 | $39.63 |
| Median | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| 75th percentile | $102,970 | $49.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,190 | $55.86 |
| Average (mean) | $92,850 | $44.64 |
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 | $8,186.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,093.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,778.46 |
| Weekly | $1,889.23 |
| Hourly | $47.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
| Pharmacist | $138,690 | $66.68 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,990 | $138.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,200 | $141.92 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Dentists, General | $163,600 | $78.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,880 | $63.89 |
| Veterinarian | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Chiropractor | $63,280 | $30.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $98,240 a year, or $47.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $116,190 a year. The top 25% earn $102,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,770 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $82,440 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 80 occupational therapists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.