Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Urbandale, IA: $64,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Urbandale, IA earns a median $64,202/year (≈ $30.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $71,020 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Urbandale, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $64,202 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $74,332 by approximately 13.63%. The salary range for this role in Urbandale reflects a considerable variation, with earnings predicted to span from $48,369 at the 10th percentile to $76,969 at the 90th percentile. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost-of-living metrics and regional price differences, indicate that productivity expectations, particularly concerning the number of patient visits per day, significantly impact compensation in this area. The local job market presents various opportunities, particularly in settings that prioritize high efficiency and strong therapeutic outcomes.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,369 | $23.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,112 | $26.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,202 | $30.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,435 | $33.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,969 | $37.00 |
Median Salary Position
13.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,600 (2026 est.). At $64,202, the local median is 13.63% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be above the median
How Urbandale Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $64,202/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,227 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.63% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $64,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.63% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $67,227.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,202 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,020 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,127
2025 BLS Actual
$62,447
2026 Current Est.
$64,202
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,127 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,363 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,317 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,494 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,878 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,551 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,447 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,127 (2019) to $62,447 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,879 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $48,369 – $56,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,112 – $64,202 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,202 – $69,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,435 – $76,969 |
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 Urbandale
As of 2026, Urbandale employs around 12 occupational therapy assistants, suggesting a relatively stable job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, paychecks stretch further than in many other regions, making the effective take-home pay more considerable even if the nominal salary is lower. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units generally offer higher salaries compared to outpatient clinics or school district contracts. Variations in pay within Urbandale can be attributed to several factors, including setting, productivity demands, and seasonal work patterns influenced by the school year, as well as the recent 15% Medicare reduction impacting reimbursement rates for services provided. To maximize pay potential, occupational therapy assistants in this market may benefit from seeking opportunities in higher-paying facilities, considering supplemental positions that allow for weekend or PRN work, and exploring specialized skills that align with employer needs.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $62,447 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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