Physical Therapist salary in Ames, IA
Physical Therapists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $90,610 a year ($43.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,890 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 7% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $97,560. There are 1.2 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $91,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,530 | $32.47 |
| 25th percentile | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Median | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| 75th percentile | $101,250 | $48.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,890 | $57.64 |
| Average (mean) | $91,650 | $44.06 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $7,550.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,775.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,485 |
| Weekly | $1,742.50 |
| Hourly | $43.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $100,380 | 100 |
| Dubuque, IA | $99,840 | 110 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $99,630 | 1,120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $99,410 | 280 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $97,790 | 740 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,180 | 120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,520 | 220 |
| Iowa City, IA | $94,480 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
| Pharmacist | $139,690 | $67.16 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,000 | $119.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Dentists, General | $163,950 | $78.82 |
| Occupational Therapist | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Chiropractor | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. 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 make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Ames, IA metro area is $90,610 a year, or $43.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $119,890 a year. The top 25% earn $101,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,530 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $75,190 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Ames, IA?
About 70 physical therapists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.