Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$64,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $72,300
State Rank
#37 of 50
400 employed here

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant make in Iowa?

An Occupational Therapy Assistant working in Iowa earns a median salary of $64,140 per year, or about $30.84 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $72,300 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $47,670 while the top 10% make $79,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,990 and $74,660 a year.

Occupational Therapy Assistant salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,670$22.92
25th percentile (early career)$52,990$25.48
50th percentile (median)$64,140$30.84
75th percentile (experienced)$74,660$35.89
90th percentile (top earners)$79,800$38.37

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 37th out of 50 states and territories for Occupational Therapy Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$82,010
2California$81,770
3Texas$81,500
4Nevada$79,510
5Arkansas$78,940

Working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Iowa

Nationally, about 51,000 people work as Occupational Therapy Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($64,140) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant make in Iowa?
The median Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Iowa is $64,140 per year, or about $30.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,670 at the entry level to $79,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Occupational Therapy Assistants about 11% less than the national median of $72,300. Iowa ranks 37th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,140 a year. About 400 Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Occupational Therapy Assistant salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.