Occupational Therapists Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $97,190 -1.2% vs national
Median hourly $46.73
10th percentile $75,050
90th percentile $117,790
Employed locally 320
National median $98,340

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Occupational Therapists
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $75,050
    25th
    $80,500
    50th (median)
    $97,190
    75th
    $104,950
    90th
    $117,790

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Occupational Therapists salary vs area income 115% Median Occupational Therapists salary is 15% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Occupational Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $134,720
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $133,850
    Vallejo, CA $129,830
    Chico, CA $128,980
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $128,960
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $126,220

    Nearby metros — Occupational Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $124,270
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $123,690
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $119,920
    California $119,470
    Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area $105,430
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $105,010

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $78,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,120
    Pharmacy Technicians $43,610
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $47,630
    Medical Records Specialists $52,370
    Physical Therapists $98,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Occupational Therapists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Occupational Therapists in Des Moines, IA is $46.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.29 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Occupational Therapists salaries?

    The median Occupational Therapists salary in Des Moines, IA is 1.2% below the national median of $98,340. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Occupational Therapists in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Occupational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $75,050 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,500.