Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $46.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $46.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,460 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,874 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, IA, the projected median hourly pay for physical therapists stands at $46.37, slightly below the national median of $50.62 per hour. This hourly rate offers a clear insight into the compensation landscape for those considering part-time or per-diem roles within various settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, and home health services. For instance, a physical therapist working three days a week could realistically earn around $3,877.44 monthly, while entry-level positions start at approximately $34.83 per hour, climbing to as much as $59.95 per hour for experienced professionals. These figures reflect a growing field where physical therapist hourly pay in Council Bluffs is tailored to accommodate both established therapists and newcomers entering the workforce.
About the Council Bluffs 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) | $34.83 | $278.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.69 | $309.51 |
| Median (P50) | $46.37 | $370.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.28 | $442.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.95 | $479.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $46.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.37/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $96,457 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,648. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,854.94 | $8,038 | $96,457 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,112.96 | $4,823 | $57,874 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $741.97 | $3,215 | $38,583 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Council Bluffs) | $46.37 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $96,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.38% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $99,855.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.37/hr = $57,874/year (purchasing power: $64,020).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,457/year (purchasing power: $106,700).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Council Bluffs grew 14.9% from $39.39/hr (2019) to $45.26/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.51/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
The financial dynamics become even more pronounced for part-time physical therapists in Council Bluffs who choose to work 24 hours weekly. With the projected earnings from $46.37 an hour, one could anticipate an annual income of about $57,469.44, which, while substantial, is considerably lower than a full-time salary. Per-diem physical therapists in the region, however, often command higher hourly rates, with some billing between $50 to $75 per hour. Travel contracts can be lucrative, providing between $1,800 and $2,800 weekly, which highlights the variety of earning potentials in the field. Moreover, hourly compensation can vary significantly depending on the work setting; private outpatient practices and sports medicine clinics may pay less than hospital systems but often include performance bonuses. Therapists may opt for jobs with lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits, presenting a trade-off that impacts long-term financial stability. For those negotiating their pay, understanding local market rates and seeking clarification on benefits will be crucial in determining their path in the evolving landscape of physical therapy in Council Bluffs.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Council Bluffs in 2026?
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Are physical therapists in Council Bluffs paid hourly or salary?
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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 Council Bluffs. 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 Council Bluffs 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