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Occupational Therapy Assistants in Iowa
Considering working as an Occupational Therapy Assistants in Iowa? Below are the key facts. Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.
What do Occupational Therapy Assistants Make in Iowa?
For a occupational therapy assistants working in Iowa, wages run about $61,980 per year (or roughly $29.80/hour).Pay can range from $50,010 at the 10th percentile to $78,600 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,010 | $24.05 |
| 25th percentile | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Median (50th) | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| 75th percentile | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| 90th percentile | $78,600 | $37.79 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa compared to the national average — is 0.77, meaning fewer occupational therapy assistants per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, occupational therapy assistants earn a median of $29,426 per year ($14.15/hour), above the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 542,119 occupational therapy assistants nationwide. In Iowa alone, approximately 370 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 670 occupational therapy assistants.
Top Iowa Metros for Occupational Therapy Assistants
The largest metro-area employers of occupational therapy assistants in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 80 | $63,380 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 50 | $58,770 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 40 | $61,010 |
Top States for Occupational Therapy Assistants Employment
These states have the highest employment of occupational therapy assistants work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 5,660 |
| Florida | 3,580 |
| California | 3,290 |
| Ohio | 3,150 |
| New York | 2,760 |
| Illinois | 2,230 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,010 |
| North Carolina | 1,620 |
| Massachusetts | 1,540 |
| Tennessee | 1,430 |
| Indiana | 1,280 |
| Virginia | 1,260 |
| Georgia | 1,220 |
| Wisconsin | 1,140 |
| Michigan | 1,130 |
| Missouri | 1,030 |
| Arizona | 930 |
| Colorado | 910 |
| Connecticut | 860 |
| Oklahoma | 830 |
Highest-Paying States for Occupational Therapy Assistants
These states pay the most for occupational therapy assistants.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $79,420 |
| Texas | $77,910 |
| Arkansas | $77,340 |
| Maryland | $77,330 |
| Nevada | $76,450 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| Arizona | $75,020 |
| Virginia | $73,870 |
| Oregon | $73,580 |
| South Carolina | $72,970 |
Skills
Top occupational therapy assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for occupational therapy assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
- Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
- Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
- Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
- Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
- Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
- Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
- Attend continuing education classes.
- Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
- Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
- Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
- Work under the direction of occupational therapists to plan, implement, or administer educational, vocational, or recreational programs that restore or enhance performance in individuals with functional impairments.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Thinking Creatively
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Facebook
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Related occupations to occupational therapy assistants include:
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Radiation Therapists
- Recreational Therapists
- Respiratory Therapists
- Registered Nurses
Also Known As
Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Travel OTA (Certified Travel Occupational Therapist Assistant), Home Health COTA (Home Health Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant), Independent Living Specialist, Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant (LOTA), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA), Nursing Facility COTA (Nursing Facility Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant), Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Technician, Registered Therapist Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 31-2011.00
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