Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Mason City, IA: $63,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Mason City, IA earns a median $63,618/year (≈ $30.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $70,374 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mason City, Iowa, occupational therapy assistants command a median annual salary of $63,618 based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. The salary range spans from $47,056 at the 10th percentile to $75,321 at the 90th percentile, making it imperative to understand the local market dynamics. The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Mason City is somewhat nuanced; the pay structure reflects disparities between different practice settings, particularly after the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that affected many service providers. While hospitals typically offer more competitive pay than skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the salary prospects vary significantly depending on whether assistants work in schools, outpatient clinics, or early intervention programs. This variance illustrates the need for prospective occupational therapy assistants to assess their career choices carefully.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,056 | $22.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,907 | $26.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,618 | $30.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,081 | $32.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,321 | $36.21 |
Median Salary Position
14.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,265 (2026 est.). At $63,618, the local median is 14.41% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be above the median
How Mason City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Mason City median: $63,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,178 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.41% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mason City, IA earn a median of $63,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.41% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $67,178.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,618 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,374 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,644
2025 BLS Actual
$61,879
2026 Current Est.
$63,618
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,644 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,833 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,989 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,351 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,064 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,879 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,405 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,644 (2019) to $61,879 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,405 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,761 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,056 – $54,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,907 – $63,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,618 – $68,081 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,081 – $75,321 |
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 Mason City
In terms of job market strength, Mason City has only four occupational therapy assistants currently employed, highlighting a relatively small but specialized workforce. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national median of $74,332, they might afford residents a reasonable quality of life. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer higher pay compared to SNFs and school districts, especially in light of the current economic climate for Medicare-funded positions. The differences in compensation can also be influenced by productivity expectations, work settings, and contract types—whether year-round or school-year contracts. For those looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on skilled hospital settings or seeking out PRN opportunities can provide avenues for better pay and benefits in this market. Understanding the implications of trends affecting occupational therapy assistant pay in Mason City, IA, such as reimbursement cuts and employment opportunities, can greatly enhance job prospects and financial well-being.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $61,879 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Mason City 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 Mason 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