Physical Therapist salary in Iowa
Physical Therapists in Iowa earn a median of $97,560 a year ($46.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,730 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $102,760. Iowa ranks 45th of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 1.6 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,780, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,780 | $35.47 |
| 25th percentile | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Median | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| 75th percentile | $106,070 | $51.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,730 | $58.04 |
| Average (mean) | $94,780 | $45.57 |
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 | $8,130 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,065 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,752.31 |
| Weekly | $1,876.15 |
| Hourly | $46.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,690 | $34.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for physical therapists in Iowa is $97,560 a year, or $46.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of physical therapists in Iowa earn at least $120,730 a year. The top 25% earn $106,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,780 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $78,810 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Iowa?
About 2,530 physical therapists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.