Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Des Moines, IA: $31.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Des Moines, IA runs $31.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,055 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,634 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, Iowa, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay for 2026 is $31.76, which sits below the national median hourly wage of $35.74. This figure represents a competitive starting point for many professionals in the field, particularly for those working part-time, such as three days a week, or in per-diem positions. Typical workplaces for occupational therapy assistants in Des Moines include skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health settings. Entry-level positions might start around $25.10, bringing in a solid income for assistants in training, while experienced practitioners can expect to earn up to $41.41 an hour. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS and projected for 2026, highlights how occupational therapy assistants can navigate their hourly pay within a wide-ranging spectrum based on experience and work setting.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.10 | $200.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.16 | $233.26 |
| Median (P50) | $31.76 | $254.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.63 | $301.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.41 | $331.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $31.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.76/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $66,057 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,110. With a cost-of-living index of 91.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,270.32 | $5,505 | $66,057 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $762.19 | $3,303 | $39,634 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.13 | $2,202 | $26,423 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Des Moines) | $31.76 |
| 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 Des Moines, IA earn a median of $66,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.14% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $67,198.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.76/hr = $39,634/year (purchasing power: $43,221).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,057/year (purchasing power: $72,035).
CoL index: 91.701 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Des Moines grew 13.5% from $27.21/hr (2019) to $30.89/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.65/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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines
For part-time occupational therapy assistants in Des Moines working three days a week, the earnings can significantly complement their financial status, amounting to a considerable annual income when calculated at 24 hours weekly. Although many professionals might favor full-time opportunities, part-time work is often pursued to balance personal commitments. In contrast, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Des Moines typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with agency contracts for traveling COTAs running between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. However, many facilities, especially skilled nursing units, have faced declining premium pay levels post-2022 due to reimbursement changes. The hourly rates vary by the type of employer, with school districts often paying less in exchange for job security and benefits, while outpatient clinics may offer higher rates for optimal flexibility. Understanding these dynamics helps occupational therapy assistants in IA tailor their employment choices effectively, whether they prioritize higher pay or additional health benefits for financial stability.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Des Moines in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Des Moines?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Des Moines paid hourly or salary?
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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 Des Moines. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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