Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Dubuque, IA: $49.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Dubuque, IA runs $49.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,296 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Dubuque's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.3, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,378 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dubuque, Iowa, offers physical therapists an hourly median pay of $49.18, slightly below the national median of $50.62. This pay structure opens various opportunities for part-time and per-diem physical therapists who often work in settings like outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, and home health environments. In Dubuque, entry-level therapists can expect to earn around $35.76 per hour, while experienced professionals could command rates as high as $54.57. This BLS-derived data for 2026 provides valuable insights into the financial prospects available in this profession, allowing potential physical therapists to gauge their earning potential at different levels of experience and employment settings.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.76 | $286.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.20 | $313.61 |
| Median (P50) | $49.18 | $393.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.47 | $411.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.57 | $436.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dubuque
Based on $49.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.18/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dubuque, IA can expect to earn approximately $102,296 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,017. With a cost-of-living index of 87.33 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dubuque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dubuque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,967.23 | $8,525 | $102,296 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,180.34 | $5,115 | $61,378 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $786.89 | $3,410 | $40,918 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Dubuque) | $49.18 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA earn a median of $102,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.40% above the Iowa state average of $99,899.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.18/hr = $61,378/year (purchasing power: $70,284).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,296/year (purchasing power: $117,140).
CoL index: 87.328 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Dubuque grew 30.8% from $36.70/hr (2019) to $48.00/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.39/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 Dubuque 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 Dubuque
Looking at part-time work, physical therapists in Dubuque, working three days a week (around 24 hours), can anticipate an annual take-home pay of approximately $61,298. In contrast, full-time professionals can expect to earn significantly more, motivating some to pursue full-time opportunities despite the increasing demand for per diem positions. Per-diem physical therapist pay in Dubuque often ranges from $50 to $75 per hour, making this an appealing choice for those seeking flexibility. Additionally, travel therapy contracts frequently allow therapists to earn from $1,800 to $2,800 per week, which can include housing stipends. Various employer types, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, can influence hourly rates, typically offering competitive packages but sometimes trading off benefits for slightly lower pay. For those in Dubuque, negotiating for higher hourly rates in settings without health insurance may be lucrative, particularly in light of reimbursement cuts affecting productivity. In a climate where cash-pay practices are on the rise, physical therapists need to understand local market dynamics for effective negotiations.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Dubuque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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