Per diemPosted 15 days ago
Occupational Therapist
CommonSpirit Health · Council Bluffs, IA
$47.50–$47.50/ hour
Occupational Therapist jobs in Council Bluffs, IA
Occupational Therapists in the Council Bluffs area earn a median of $40.30 per hour, about $83,820 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $38.37 and $48.39. That ranks 284th of 354 U.S. metro areas for occupational therapist pay, and 255th of 327 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Council Bluffs. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Council Bluffs.
- $40.30median pay per hour, Omaha
- $38–$48typical range per hour
- 880occupational therapists employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay
Open Occupational Therapist roles in Council Bluffs
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15+ more Occupational Therapist roles for you in Council Bluffs, IA
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Named employers near Council Bluffs, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportOccupational Therapist pay in Council Bluffs, IA
The metro median is 6% below the Iowa statewide median of $42.68 per hour. Nationally the median is $47.28 per hour. BLS counts about 880 occupational therapists employed in the Omaha metro area, 1.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.81).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $36.30 | $75,500 | 23% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $38.37 | $79,810 | 19% below U.S. median |
| Median | $40.30 | $83,820 | 15% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $48.39 | $100,650 | 2% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $50.31 | $104,640 | 6% above U.S. median |
How Council Bluffs ranks
- 284th of 354 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 255th of 327 after adjusting for local prices
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 Council Bluffs
- Overall prices in Omaha run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $40.30 median hour buys what $43.85 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.
Estimate your Council Bluffs paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,451
- Per year: $72,540
- Per month: $6,045
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Omaha metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Council Bluffs
| 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).
Hospitals in Council Bluffs
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Council Bluffs, 1 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of occupational therapists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chi Health Mercy Council Bluffs Council Bluffs, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Methodist Jennie Edmundson Council Bluffs, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, NE | 8 mi | $40.30/hr | 64,777 |
| Omaha, NE | 11 mi | $40.30/hr | 489,265 |
| Lincoln, NE | 52 mi | $44.02/hr | 300,619 |
| Sioux City, IA | 91 mi | $42.96/hr | 86,875 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 110 mi | $46.73/hr | 73,664 |
| St. Joseph, MO | 116 mi | $45.83/hr | 71,098 |
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 Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Council Bluffs, IA?
Occupational Therapists in the Omaha metro area have a median pay of $40.30 per hour, about $83,820 a year. The middle half earn between $38.37 and $48.39 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Council Bluffs a good place for occupational therapists once cost of living is counted?
Omaha ranks 255th of 327 metro areas for occupational therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 284th of 354 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Who is hiring occupational therapists in Council Bluffs?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Council Bluffs. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Council Bluffs.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs?
The federal per diem benchmark in Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Council Bluffs and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Council Bluffs.
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What do employers near Council Bluffs 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.
Get your free pay report
20+ Occupational Therapist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your OT pay reportCouncil Bluffs, 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.