Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ankeny, IA: $65,302 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ankeny, IA earns a median $65,302/year (≈ $31.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $72,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Ankeny, Iowa, can anticipate a projected median annual salary of $65,302 for 2026, reflecting both regional economic conditions and sector-specific demands. This salary falls within a range of $47,439 at the 10th percentile to $82,652 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear picture of earning potential in the local job market. These figures are derived from data estimates based on 2025 BLS information and regional price adjustments, which also indicate that salaries in Ankeny are about 12.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 for the same year. Given the city's job market for occupational therapy assistants, which currently employs 16 individuals, understanding these figures is essential for anyone considering or advancing a career in this field.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,439 | $22.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,947 | $26.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,302 | $31.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,924 | $35.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,652 | $39.74 |
Median Salary Position
12.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,213 (2026 est.). At $65,302, the local median is 12.15% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be above the median
How Ankeny Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $65,302/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,183 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.15% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,302 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,237 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,038
2025 BLS Actual
$63,517
2026 Current Est.
$65,302
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,038 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,294 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,231 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,445 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,469 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,302 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,038 (2019) to $63,517 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,099 (24.24%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,439 – $55,947 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,947 – $65,302 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,302 – $72,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,924 – $82,652 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Ankeny
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Ankeny is shaped significantly by local economic factors, including a cost-of-living index of 90.4, which suggests that while salaries are lower compared to the national average, the purchasing power might be relatively favorable. Among the local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive compensation, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, with outpatient clinics and early intervention programs typically providing lower wages. The dispersion in salaries can largely be attributed to productivity expectations tied to patient visits, work settings, and contract types, alongside the pressures imposed by the ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting services provided by COTAs. Maximizing pay in this area often requires strategic choices, such as working in high-demand settings and considering weekend or PRN shifts, alongside exploring bridge pathways to further credentials, such as moving from COTA to MOT. These factors play a critical role in defining the occupational therapy assistant pay in Ankeny, IA.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ankeny, IA in 2026?
Is Ankeny, IA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Ankeny?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Ankeny?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Ankeny?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,517 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ankeny metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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