Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $46.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Burlington, IA runs $46.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,907 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,542 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected hourly rate of $46.11 for physical therapists in Burlington, Iowa, local professionals earn slightly less than the national median of $50.62. This rate translates into various employment scenarios—whether working part-time at outpatient clinics or adjusting to the flexible nature of per diem roles. For instance, a physical therapist working three days a week typically finds themselves in outpatient clinic gyms, hospitals, or in-home therapy environments. If we consider the hourly range, entry-level therapists may earn approximately $36.53, while those at the top of their field can command up to $57.26 per hour. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, but they provide an insightful glimpse into the earning potential within Burlington's healthcare market.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.53 | $292.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.45 | $315.58 |
| Median (P50) | $46.11 | $368.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.07 | $424.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.26 | $458.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $46.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.11/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $95,903 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,328. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,844.28 | $7,992 | $95,903 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,106.57 | $4,795 | $57,542 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $737.71 | $3,197 | $38,361 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Burlington) | $46.11 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Burlington, IA earn a median of $95,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.91% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $99,903.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.11/hr = $57,542/year (purchasing power: $63,652).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,903/year (purchasing power: $106,087).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Burlington grew 14.9% from $39.17/hr (2019) to $45.00/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.24/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Burlington
In terms of income dynamics, part-time physical therapists averaging 24 hours a week can expect to bring in around $57,687 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. For those exploring the per diem physical therapist pay in Burlington, the landscape reveals hourly billing rates of $50-$75, and travel contracts may offer weekly figures ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, often including stipends for expenses. Compensation varies considerably by employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics generally providing lower hourly rates compared to hospital inpatient facilities and specialty clinics. Consequently, some therapists may accept reduced hourly wages for benefits like health insurance, which can sometimes outweigh the allure of higher rates without such perks. Negotiating effectively in Burlington often requires a focus on understanding local demand, as well as the balance between competitive pay and the stressors of productivity models employed by facilities in response to CMS reimbursement cuts.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Burlington?
Are physical therapists in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Burlington?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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