Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $62,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $62,520/year (≈ $30.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $69,159 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ottumwa, IA, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is $62,520. This positions local pay approximately 15.89% below the national median of $74,332, with salaries ranging from $49,184 at the 10th percentile to $73,349 at the 90th percentile. Such figures are informed by 2025 BLS data estimates and regional cost adjustments. As professionals consider bridging from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), it's clear that advancing one's education can significantly enhance lifetime earning potential. This creates a compelling incentive for COTAs aspiring for higher roles within the field, especially in regions like Ottumwa where local market conditions shape compensation dynamics.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,184 | $23.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,878 | $26.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,865 | $32.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,349 | $35.26 |
Median Salary Position
15.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,165 (2026 est.). At $62,520, the local median is 15.89% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be above the median
How Ottumwa Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $62,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,226 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.89% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $62,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $67,226.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,520 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,159 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,736
2025 BLS Actual
$60,811
2026 Current Est.
$62,520
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,938 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,921 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,362 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,148 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,811 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,736 (2019) to $60,811 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,541 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $49,184 – $55,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,878 – $62,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,520 – $66,865 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,865 – $73,349 |
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 Ottumwa
The job market in Ottumwa is relatively modest, with only five occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that the purchasing power of these salaries may be more favorable than the numbers indicate. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer more competitive compensation compared to other settings like schools or outpatient clinics. Factors contributing to the salary spread include differences in productivity expectations across various environments and the impacts of Medicare reimbursement cuts, which have influenced compensation structures since 2022. To maximize earnings, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider obtaining additional certifications, pursuing year-round contracts, and targeting higher-paying facilities like hospitals, where OTAs can leverage the greater demand for services.
More salary data for Ottumwa, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ottumwa, IA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Ottumwa?
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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 $60,811 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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