Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Ottumwa, IA: $30.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Ottumwa, IA runs $30.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,520 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Ottumwa's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,517 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ottumwa, Iowa, occupational therapy assistants earn a median hourly rate of $30.06, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.74 for this role. This disparity has implications for those pursuing part-time or per-diem work in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, outpatient clinics, and more. For part-time workers, a typical three-day workweek could yield around $24,000 annually, whereas top earners in the field can command hourly rates at the upper end of the range, reaching $35.26. The broad hourly range from entry-level salaries of about $23.65 to higher pay indicates that there are seasoned professionals who can benefit from advanced skills, which can be crucial in settings where specialized knowledge is essential.
About the Ottumwa 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) | $23.65 | $189.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.86 | $214.91 |
| Median (P50) | $30.06 | $240.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.15 | $257.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.26 | $282.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ottumwa
Based on $30.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.06/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ottumwa, IA can expect to earn approximately $62,528 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,074. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ottumwa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ottumwa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,202.47 | $5,211 | $62,528 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $721.48 | $3,126 | $37,517 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.99 | $2,084 | $25,011 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Ottumwa) | $30.06 |
| 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 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.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.06/hr = $37,517/year (purchasing power: $41,501).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,528/year (purchasing power: $69,168).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Ottumwa grew 17.5% from $24.88/hr (2019) to $29.24/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.91/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Ottumwa
Exploring the financial landscape of occupational therapy assistants reveals various earning potentials depending on work arrangements. For those engaged in per-diem positions, billing rates can fluctuate between $30 and $45 per hour, although many facilities in Ottumwa may fall toward the lower end due to budget constraints resulting from the 15% Medicare cut initiated in 2022. A full-time OTA might bring home a robust salary, while part-timers clocking in approximately 24 hours a week may face limited annual incomes. Additionally, travel contract positions could offer weekly pay ranging from $1,100 to $1,700, adding appeal for those willing to temporally relocate. Different employer types in Ottumwa present unique pay scales; agency positions or school contracts sometimes trade lower hourly rates for additional benefits like health insurance. Occupational therapy assistants often need to weigh these factors against their career goals and negotiate appropriately, aiming to secure not just competitive pay but favorable work conditions that align with their professional aspirations and personal needs.
More salary data for Ottumwa, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Ottumwa in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Ottumwa?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Ottumwa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Ottumwa?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time 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
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 Ottumwa. 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 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