Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Sioux City, IA: $32.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Sioux City, IA runs $32.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,681 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Sioux City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,609 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sioux City, IA, the hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant stands at $32.54, which is lower than the national median of $35.74. This rate reflects the area's cost of living and job market dynamics, making it relevant for both full-time and part-time workers. For those engaged in part-time work, such as three days a week, this pay translates to a substantial income while allowing for a balance between work and personal life. Entry-level occupational therapy assistants may start at about $22.90 per hour, while top earners can make up to $39.15 per hour. Given that these estimated hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, it’s crucial for job seekers in Sioux City to be well-informed about their compensation as they enter diverse settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics.
About the Sioux City 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) | $22.90 | $183.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.32 | $218.53 |
| Median (P50) | $32.54 | $260.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.02 | $280.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.15 | $313.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux City
Based on $32.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.54/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux City, IA can expect to earn approximately $67,682 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,047. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,301.57 | $5,640 | $67,682 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $780.94 | $3,384 | $40,609 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $520.63 | $2,256 | $27,073 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Sioux City) | $32.54 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA earn a median of $67,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% above the Iowa state average of $67,210.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.54/hr = $40,609/year (purchasing power: $44,922).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,682/year (purchasing power: $74,869).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Sioux City grew 17.5% from $26.93/hr (2019) to $31.65/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.45/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 Sioux City 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 Sioux City
Examining the earning potential for a three-day workweek reveals that a part-time occupational therapy assistant taking home approximately $25,000 annually is feasible. This contrasts sharply with full-time workers, who enjoy better financial stability and access to benefits, an attractive prospect given the decline in agency pay rates post-2022 reimbursement cuts. For per diem occupational therapy assistants, sifting through opportunities means billing rates may range from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering between $1,100 and $1,700 per week. Employment in specific facilities, such as skilled nursing homes or school districts, can yield different hourly rates, often due to demand and budget constraints. Therefore, negotiating pay in Sioux City comes with an understanding of the trade-offs—some may accept lower hourly wages for comprehensive health benefits rather than higher pay without such perks. Overall, strategic negotiation becomes essential in a market influenced by local economic factors and healthcare trends.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Sioux City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Sioux City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Sioux City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Sioux City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Sioux City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 Sioux City. 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 Sioux City 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