Physical Therapist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Physical Therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $97,180 a year ($46.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,240 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 1.5 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,550, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| 25th percentile | $83,540 | $40.17 |
| Median | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| 75th percentile | $105,060 | $50.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,240 | $57.33 |
| Average (mean) | $94,550 | $45.46 |
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 | $8,098.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,049.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,737.69 |
| Weekly | $1,868.85 |
| Hourly | $46.72 |
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 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
| Pharmacist | $138,690 | $66.68 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,990 | $138.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,200 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Dentists, General | $163,600 | $78.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,880 | $63.89 |
| Veterinarian | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Chiropractor | $63,280 | $30.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $97,180 a year, or $46.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $119,240 a year. The top 25% earn $105,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,860 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $83,540 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 120 physical therapists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.