Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $61,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $61,681/year (≈ $29.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $68,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant stands at $61,681 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary for this position ranges from $47,063 at the 10th percentile to $70,676 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of earning potential based on experience and specific employment settings. These figures, derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflect the local economic context and may help set expectations for new COTAs entering the job market. With only four occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, competition is limited, which can have varying effects on pay rates as employers might adjust salaries to attract qualified candidates amidst a tight workforce.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,063 | $22.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,114 | $26.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,681 | $29.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,369 | $31.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,676 | $33.98 |
Median Salary Position
17.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,613 (2026 est.). At $61,681, the local median is 17.02% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be above the median
How Fort Dodge Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $61,681/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,190 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -17.02% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $61,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.02% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $67,190.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge 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.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,681 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,041
2025 BLS Actual
$59,995
2026 Current Est.
$61,681
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,041 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,228 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,315 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,605 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,448 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,995 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,414 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,041 (2019) to $59,995 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,414 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,373 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $47,063 – $54,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,114 – $61,681 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,681 – $66,369 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,369 – $70,676 |
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 Fort Dodge
Analyzing the local job market reveals a cost-of-living index of 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower when compared nationally, purchasing power can remain relatively stable for residents of Fort Dodge. Among the top-paying employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer higher wages compared to school districts and outpatient clinics, influenced by productivity expectations. Factors such as setting, the potential for weekend or PRN work, and employment contracts—whether year-round or tied to the school year—also contribute to the noticeable pay disparity. Furthermore, the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for OTA-provided services that occurred in 2022 adds pressure on salaries in specific settings. Occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize their earnings should consider seeking positions in environments that have a higher demand for services, like hospitals or inpatient rehabilitation, and actively engage in continuing education or specialized certifications to increase their marketability.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $59,995 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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