Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $64,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $64,893/year (≈ $31.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $71,784 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, IA, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $64,893, reflecting a competitive market despite a national median of $74,332, which indicates a difference of about 12.70%. The salary range for this role spans from $46,236 at the 10th percentile to $79,133 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a healthy spectrum of pay based on experience and work setting. These estimates come from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost factors, which is critical as Council Bluffs has a cost of living index of 90.4, below the national average. This lower cost of living can influence salary expectations and overall economic feasibility for occupational therapy assistants pursuing their careers in this community.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,236 | $22.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,116 | $26.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,893 | $31.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,888 | $34.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,133 | $38.04 |
Median Salary Position
12.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,897 (2026 est.). At $64,893, the local median is 12.7% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be above the median
How Council Bluffs Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $64,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,177 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.70% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $64,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.70% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $67,177.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,893 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,784 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,699
2025 BLS Actual
$63,119
2026 Current Est.
$64,893
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,699 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,091 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,699 (2019) to $63,119 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,017 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,236 – $55,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,116 – $64,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,893 – $71,888 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,888 – $79,133 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Council Bluffs
With only 12 occupational therapy assistants employed in the area, the job market remains somewhat niche, affecting competition for positions as well as salary negotiations. Although occupational therapy assistant pay in Council Bluffs, IA is modest compared to the national average, the cost of living suggests that take-home earnings may stretch further. Employers in skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages due to increased productivity expectations, while roles in schools or outpatient clinics tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum given the reimbursement dynamics tempered by the 15% Medicare cut impacting OTA services. To maximize earning potential, candidates should consider opportunities in higher-paying settings like inpatient rehabilitation centers, as well as the merits of progressing from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master’s level Occupational Therapist (MOT). This educational bridge can significantly enhance lifetime earnings and career satisfaction in the field.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Council Bluffs, IA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Council Bluffs?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Council Bluffs?
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Career Resources
Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,119 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Council Bluffs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov