Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $48,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Cedar Rapids, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $48,064 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar Rapids's local price level (BEA RPP 89.0 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,027 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($54,037) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Cedar Rapids presents new graduates with a promising opportunity in the occupational therapy assistant field. With a starting salary of around $48,064, those entering the workforce can expect to earn below the city's median annual salary of $54,037 initially. However, this gap doesn’t reflect a lack of growth potential; many new professionals find their earnings increase significantly within the first few years. By gaining experience and skills, such as working under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists, new graduates often advance toward the median salary in just a few years, making Cedar Rapids a favorable market for entry-level occupational therapy assistants.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar Rapids
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Cedar Rapids, IA typically start between $48,064 and $48,064 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,833 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $54,037 — 27.3% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Iowa of $20,000 represents just 41.61% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($48,064/year) in Cedar Rapids. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school settings.
OTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cedar Rapids
- 1Research the Cedar Rapids market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $48,064 to $48,064, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar Rapids, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cedar Rapids for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar Rapids's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Compensation Range
The occupational therapy assistant wage spread in Cedar Rapids is $26,833 ( 55.83%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $48,064, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,897.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,480
2025 BLS Actual
$46,750
2026 Current Est.
$48,064
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,501 | Actual |
| 2022 | $22,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,414 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Rapids, IA grew 15.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,480 in 2019 to $46,750 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,414. New graduates entering the Cedar Rapids job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Cedar Rapids
Employers in Cedar Rapids actively seek fresh talent, particularly in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and rehabilitation firms, which are the primary sources of employment for entry-level personnel. School districts also offer appealing roles, especially for those who value a summer break, while outpatient clinics may require some experience but often provide training opportunities for new graduates focusing on pediatric or hand-therapy support. To enhance earning potential, recent graduates should prioritize obtaining credentials like the COTA designation by passing the NBCOT exam and securing a state OTA license. Continuing education through AOTA can enable access to advanced practice areas. As COTAs typically work under the supervision of occupational therapists, new entrants in Cedar Rapids should be prepared for a structured support system, even as the 15% Medicare Part B cut, effective since 2022, impacts salary dynamics in various settings. Realistically, graduates can anticipate gradual salary increases as they build their skills and experience over the first three years in the field.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Cedar Rapids in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Cedar Rapids?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Cedar Rapids?
What do new occupational therapy assistants make right out of school in Cedar Rapids?
How do I become a occupational therapy assistant in Iowa?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cedar Rapids. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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