Physical Therapist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Physical Therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $97,790 a year ($47.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,730 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $97,560. There are 1.8 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,850, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| 25th percentile | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Median | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| 75th percentile | $106,070 | $51.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,730 | $58.04 |
| Average (mean) | $94,850 | $45.60 |
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 | $8,149.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,074.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,761.15 |
| Weekly | $1,880.58 |
| Hourly | $47.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,790 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 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 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,180 | 120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,520 | 220 |
| Iowa City, IA | $94,480 | 180 |
| Ames, IA | $90,610 | 70 |
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Occupational Therapist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Veterinarian | $130,900 | $62.93 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $97,790 a year, or $47.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $120,730 a year. The top 25% earn $106,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,510 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $78,810 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 740 physical therapists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.