Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Iowa
Physical Therapist Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $61,030 a year ($29.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,950 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $68,380. Iowa ranks 47th of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 0.68 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,220, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Median | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| 75th percentile | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,950 | $36.04 |
| Average (mean) | $60,220 | $28.95 |
Half of physical therapist assistants 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 | $5,085.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,542.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,347.31 |
| Weekly | $1,173.65 |
| Hourly | $29.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,470 | 440 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $62,850 | 60 |
| Ames, IA | $62,040 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,360 | 170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,130 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,530 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,180 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $58,140 | 60 |
| Dubuque, IA | $51,640 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 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 31-2021. 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 assistant make in Iowa?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in Iowa is $61,030 a year, or $29.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Iowa?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in Iowa earn at least $74,950 a year. The top 25% earn $66,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $52,110 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Iowa?
About 1,060 physical therapist assistants are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.