Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Marion, IA: $66,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Marion, IA earns a median $66,074/year (≈ $31.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $73,091 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Marion, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $66,074, representing a compensation structure that is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $47,460 at the 10th percentile to $78,782 at the 90th percentile, creating opportunities to earn based on experience and setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight how this salary framework balances the cost-of-living index of the region, which stands at 90.4, below the national average. As many professionals consider pursuing a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) to advance from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) role, understanding these projections can significantly influence long-term earning potential in Marion.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,460 | $22.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,035 | $26.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,074 | $31.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,197 | $34.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,782 | $37.88 |
Median Salary Position
11.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,322 (2026 est.). At $66,074, the local median is 11.11% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be above the median
How Marion Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Marion median: $66,074/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,217 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.11% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Marion, IA earn a median of $66,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $67,217.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,074 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,091 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,677
2025 BLS Actual
$64,268
2026 Current Est.
$66,074
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,677 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,112 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,566 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,112 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,931 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,677 (2019) to $64,268 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,931 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,254 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $47,460 – $56,035 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,035 – $66,074 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,074 – $71,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,197 – $78,782 |
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 Marion
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants shows limited employment levels, with only six professionals currently working in Marion. This scarcity can impact salary dynamics, especially when comparing compensation across various healthcare settings. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services typically offer higher pay compared to school districts, outpatient clinics, or early intervention programs. The 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements effective from 2022 has placed additional pressure on pay rates in certain environments. As a COTA looking to maximize earnings, it may be strategic to pursue positions in more lucrative settings or consider year-round contracts instead of academic-year roles. Aligning your professional development with the market demands, particularly through the COTA-to-MOT transition, can be a roadmap to improved occupational therapy assistant pay in Marion, IA.
More salary data for Marion, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Marion, IA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Marion?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Marion?
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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 $64,268 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Marion 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 Marion 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