Physical Therapist Aide salary in Iowa
Physical Therapist Aides in Iowa earn a median of $29,120 a year ($14.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,760 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,240. Iowa ranks 43rd of 50 states for physical therapist aides pay. There are 0.25 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $26,770 | $12.87 |
| Median | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 75th percentile | $37,160 | $17.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,760 | $21.04 |
| Average (mean) | $31,420 | $15.11 |
Half of physical therapist aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,213.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,120 |
| Weekly | $560 |
| Hourly | $14.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $31,000 | 300 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $29,120 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $27,700 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 |
| Colorado | $41,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 |
| Maine | $39,660 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 |
| Montana | $38,950 |
| California | $38,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Massage Therapist | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Orderly | $36,850 | $17.72 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make in Iowa?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in Iowa is $29,120 a year, or $14.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Iowa?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in Iowa earn at least $43,760 a year. The top 25% earn $37,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $26,770 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Iowa?
About 390 physical therapist aides are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.