Salary data · Iowa
Occupational therapy assistant salary in Iowa
Occupational therapy assistants in Iowa earn a mean of $63,970 a year and a median of $64,140, 9.5% below the national mean of $70,710. That ranks 40th of the 50 states with a published estimate.
$63,970
Mean annual wage
about $31 an hour
$64,140
Median annual wage
40th of 50
State rank
by mean wage
400
OTAs employed
BLS estimate
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates. These are estimates for occupational therapy assistants already employed in Iowa, not offers; the hourly figure divides the annual mean by 2,080 hours. Setting, specialty and caseload move an individual offer well above or below them. Updated October 22, 2026.
By metro
Occupational therapy assistant pay by metro in Iowa
| Metro | Mean | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $66,830 | $64,250 | 80 |
| Davenport | $66,030 | $61,510 | 60 |
| Waterloo | $62,040 | $61,560 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids | $56,060 | $52,560 | 50 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan estimates. Suppressed cells show n/a.
The market
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Iowa
Source: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain), as of October 2026.
Licensed in another state?
Iowa has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Iowa license for now.
How the OT Compact works →Open roles
OTA openings in Iowa
Thinking about a OTA move in Iowa?
Send a resume and a few lines on the setting, schedule and pay you want. A licensed clinician reads every one, and it stays confidential.