How much does an occupational therapist make in Des Moines?
$78,770a year
Median yearly pay for occupational therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $37.87 an hour or $6,564 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.87
- Vs. national median
- -21%
- Rank among cities
- 360 of 365
- Jobs in the area
- 340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,610Median: $78,770Highest 10%: $108,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,610 | $31.06 | |
| 25th | $74,610 | $35.87 | |
| Median | $78,770 | $37.87 | |
| 75th | $102,800 | $49.44 | |
| 90th | $108,800 | $52.29 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for occupational therapists.
| Waterloo, IA | $98,240 |
| Omaha, NE | $93,650 |
| Sioux City, IA | $92,600 |
| Iowa City, IA | $91,560 |
| Davenport, IA | $87,390 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $79,690 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $426,300 |
| Psychiatrist | $358,000 |
| Physician | $309,900 |
| Pediatrician | $271,200 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200 |
| Physician | $239,200 |
| Radiologist | $239,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $237,700 |
| Dentist | $209,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an occupational therapist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37.87 ($78,770 a year).
Do occupational therapists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $78,770 against $100,300 nationally, 21% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $89,910, so Des Moines pays 12% less.
Where does Des Moines rank for occupational therapist pay?
360 of 365 metro areas with data.
How much does an occupational therapist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,610 or less a year; the top 10% make $108,800 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.