PayByState

Iowa · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Iowa

Median $89,490 · Top 10% earn $103,460+ · Roughly 1,458 workers in Iowa. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Iowa median
$89,490
$43.02/hr
Top 10%
$103,460
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$57,590
Entry-level range
Real pay
$100,213
CoL-adjusted (RPP 89.3)

Iowa pays modestly below the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $89,490 versus the national median of $98,340. Iowa's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $1,873 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 1,458 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Iowa

Iowa pays close to the U.S. median for occupational therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Iowa ranks #39 of 50 states

Where Iowa sits in the national distribution for occupational therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Iowa
#36 Georgia $90,470 +$980
#35 Nebraska $91,460 +$1,970
#34 North Carolina $91,460 +$1,970
#39 Iowa (this page) $89,490 —
#44 South Dakota $87,520 −$1,970
#45 Oklahoma $87,520 −$1,970
#46 Kentucky $87,520 −$1,970
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Iowa

The typical path is a master's degree (entry-level) + state license; otd increasingly required, taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $40,000 (community college) to $150,000 (private accelerated). On the Iowa median of $89,490, payback periods are typically 2.6 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Occupational Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Iowa selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Iowa — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Iowa?
The median occupational therapist salary in Iowa is $89,490 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $57,590; the top 10% earn $103,460 or more. About 1,458 people work in this role across the state.
How does Iowa occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Iowa's median of $89,490 is $8,850 below the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 89.3), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $100,213.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Iowa?
On the data: Iowa employs roughly 1,458 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $89,490 and the top decile clearing $103,460. The role is projected to grow +11% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Iowa?
At the Iowa median of $89,490 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $43.02/hr. The top 10% earn around $49.74/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $27.69/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Iowa-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1122: Occupational Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Iowa's RPP is 89.3 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.