Per diemPosted 15 days ago
Occupational Therapist
CommonSpirit Health · Council Bluffs, IA
$47.50–$47.50/ hour
Occupational Therapist jobs in Ames, IA
Occupational Therapists in the Ames area earn a median of $39.23 per hour, about $81,590 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $34.35 and $51.07. That ranks 314th of 354 U.S. metro areas for occupational therapist pay, and 249th of 327 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Ames. The free report below lists employers near Ames and what they pay.
- $39.23median pay per hour, Ames
- $34–$51typical range per hour
- 30occupational therapists employed in the metro area
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Occupational Therapist pay in Ames, IA
The metro median is 8% below the Iowa statewide median of $42.68 per hour. Nationally the median is $47.28 per hour. BLS counts about 30 occupational therapists employed in the Ames metro area, 0.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.56).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $33.44 | $69,560 | 29% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $34.35 | $71,450 | 27% below U.S. median |
| Median | $39.23 | $81,590 | 17% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $51.07 | $106,230 | 8% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $55.02 | $114,440 | 16% above U.S. median |
How Ames ranks
- 314th of 354 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 249th of 327 after adjusting for local prices
- 7th of 8 Iowa metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Ames
- Overall prices in Ames run 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $39.23 median hour buys what $44.16 buys at the national price level, 7% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Ames Occupational Therapist pay report
Named employers near Ames, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Ames paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,412
- Per year: $70,614
- Per month: $5,884
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Ames metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Ames
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel occupational therapist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Open Occupational Therapist roles in Iowa
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Ames as they open.
For youUpdated weekly
20+ more Occupational Therapist roles for you in Iowa
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Hospitals in Ames
CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of occupational therapists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Greeley Medical Center Ames, IA | Acute care | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Occupational Therapist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | 20 mi | $46.73/hr | 76,727 |
| Des Moines, IA | 31 mi | $46.73/hr | 213,096 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34 mi | $46.73/hr | 73,664 |
| Waterloo, IA | 72 mi | $40.01/hr | 67,477 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 100 mi | $40.14/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 111 mi | $38.85/hr | 76,710 |
Occupational Therapist jobs in Iowa · Occupational Therapist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Iowa
Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Ames
Ames city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Ames, IA?
Occupational Therapists in the Ames metro area have a median pay of $39.23 per hour, about $81,590 a year. The middle half earn between $34.35 and $51.07 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Ames a good place for occupational therapists once cost of living is counted?
Ames ranks 249th of 327 metro areas for occupational therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 314th of 354 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Where do occupational therapists work in Ames?
CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames, led by Mary Greeley Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Ames as an occupational therapist?
Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Ames?
The federal per diem benchmark in Ames is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place occupational therapists in Ames?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ames and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ames.
Free for every candidate
What do employers near Ames pay occupational therapists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Occupational Therapist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your OT pay reportAmes, IA · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Grandison Management, Inc.Shenandoah, IA · 1 wage offer$34.95/ hr$35–$35
- Grandison Management, Inc.Wapello, IA · 1 wage offer$33.90/ hr$34–$34
- Grandison Management, Inc.Donnellson, IA · 1 wage offer$33.90/ hr$34–$34
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$34Median$33.90High$35
4 employer-reported wage offers for OT in federal filings in Iowa, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 1 OT roles
- Occupational TherapistPer diem$47.50–$47.50/ hour
Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.