Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Mason City, IA: $73,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Mason City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,702 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mason City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,529 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,565) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduate physical therapists entering the workforce in Mason City, IA can expect to find starting salaries averaging around $73,702. This starting pay is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $94,565, indicating a significant gap that new professionals must be prepared to navigate. However, as early-career therapists gain experience over their first few years, the potential for salary growth is encouraging. Many will see earnings rise steadily toward the 25th percentile figure of $80,170 and may even approach the median as they accumulate clinical expertise, indicating a positive growth trajectory. Overall, Mason City presents a reasonable market for new grads, positioned to facilitate essential early-career development while providing respectable salary opportunities as they advance.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mason City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
Entry-level physical therapists in Mason City, IA typically start between $73,702 and $80,170 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,986 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,565 — 10.18% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Iowa of $105,000 represents just 142.47% of the starting physical therapist pay ($73,702/year) in Mason City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Mason City
- 1Research the Mason City market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $73,702 to $80,170, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mason City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Mason City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mason City's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Mason City is $44,986 ( 61.04%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,702, experienced hygienists can earn up to $118,688.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,926
2025 BLS Actual
$71,932
2026 Current Est.
$73,702
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,926 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,241 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,749 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,325 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,381 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,932 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,515 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Mason City, IA grew 24.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,926 in 2019 to $71,932 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,515. New graduates entering the Mason City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Mason City
In Mason City, several employers are actively seeking new graduates, particularly outpatient orthopedic chains, which hire a substantial number of DPTs with structured productivity models designed to ramp up their caseloads. Additionally, hospital systems often provide valuable residency programs culminating in board certifications that can elevate one's professional standing and starting salaries. Skilled nursing facilities, such as Genesis and RehabCare, tend to offer higher initial pay rates compared to other settings. To enhance their employability and starting physical therapist salary in Mason City, graduates should focus on meeting the essential qualifications, including obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a CAPTE-accredited institution, passing the NPTE exam, and securing a state PT license. Further credentials, such as a residency or fellowship for board specialization (OCS, SCS, etc.), along with an APTA membership, can significantly increase earning potential. During the first three years, new grads can expect to strategically build their careers, with salary increments likely in line with industry demands and productivity expectations.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Mason City in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist salaries grow in Mason City?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Mason City?
What do new physical therapists make right out of school in Mason City?
How do I become a physical therapist in Iowa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Mason City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mason City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov