Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Ankeny, IA: $31.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Ankeny, IA runs $31.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,302 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Ankeny's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,185 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, Iowa, the projected hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant (COTA) in 2026 is estimated to be $31.40. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $35.74, highlighting a discrepancy that local COTAs may need to consider when evaluating job opportunities. For those seeking part-time work, such as a three-day workweek, this translates to approximately $25,152 annually, which can provide a solid supplemental income particularly in settings like skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, or schools. However, a wide hourly range exists, from $22.80 for entry-level positions to $39.74 for those at the top of the pay scale. Given that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, they reflect the local economy and cost of living, which is lower than the national average.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.80 | $182.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.90 | $215.16 |
| Median (P50) | $31.40 | $251.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.06 | $280.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.74 | $317.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ankeny
Based on $31.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.40/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ankeny, IA can expect to earn approximately $65,308 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,678. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ankeny.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ankeny
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,255.93 | $5,442 | $65,308 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.56 | $3,265 | $39,185 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.37 | $2,177 | $26,123 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Ankeny) | $31.40 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $65,302 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $67,183.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.40/hr = $39,185/year (purchasing power: $43,346).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,308/year (purchasing power: $72,244).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Ankeny grew 17.5% from $25.98/hr (2019) to $30.54/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.28/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Ankeny
For occupational therapy assistants working on a part-time basis, the potential annual earnings can vary significantly compared to their full-time counterparts. A COTA opting for a three-day work schedule may earn a decent income but will not receive the same benefits that come with full-time employment, leading to a trade-off between higher hourly wages and health insurance coverage. Per-diem occupational therapy assistants in Ankeny typically command rates between $30 and $45 per hour, while travel contracts can offer between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. However, with the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting many skilled nursing facilities, this may have driven down demand and impacted overall pay structures in those settings. Various employer types, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools, offer different hourly rates, influenced by funding and reimbursement scenarios. COTAs should feel empowered to negotiate hourly rates, particularly in the current job market, while weighing the benefits against potential salary increases.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Ankeny in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Ankeny?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Ankeny paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Ankeny?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Ankeny?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Ankeny. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ankeny 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