Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $46.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Iowa City, IA runs $46.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,804 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,079 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, physical therapists earn a median hourly rate of $46.54, which is somewhat lower than the national median of $50.62. This hourly pay reflects the city's cost of living, which is below the national average, making part-time and per-diem opportunities particularly valuable for those balancing multiple roles in settings such as outpatient clinic gyms, hospital rehab units, and skilled nursing facilities. Newer physical therapists might start at an hourly rate around $35.40, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $60.68 per hour. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, providing a solid benchmark for those considering a career or transition in the physical therapy field in Iowa City.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.40 | $283.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.85 | $326.81 |
| Median (P50) | $46.54 | $372.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.31 | $426.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.68 | $485.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $46.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.54/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $96,798 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,845. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,861.49 | $8,066 | $96,798 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,116.90 | $4,840 | $58,079 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $744.60 | $3,227 | $38,719 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Iowa City) | $46.54 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $96,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.06% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.10% below the Iowa state average of $99,901.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.54/hr = $58,079/year (purchasing power: $63,468).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,798/year (purchasing power: $105,779).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Iowa City grew 19.6% from $37.97/hr (2019) to $45.42/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.68/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 Iowa 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Iowa City
When examining the earning potential of physical therapists working part-time in Iowa City, a therapist completing 24 hours a week could expect to take home about $58,078 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem physical therapists, often enjoying flexible schedules, typically bill between $50 and $75 per hour, with those in travel contracts earning $1,800 to $2,800 weekly. This variability in pay offers financial opportunities for physical therapists who hustle for higher rates, especially in niche practices like cash-pay sports clinics, where earnings can soar to $150-$250 per hour. Furthermore, salaries vary according to employer types; private practices may offer lower hourly rates compared to hospitals, which often provide benefits. Physical therapists in Iowa City may need to weigh the trade-offs of higher hourly wages against the stability and perks of traditional employment. Negotiation strategies such as highlighting specific skill sets or flexible availability can help secure more favorable pay arrangements tailored to individual preferences.
More salary data for Iowa City, 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 Iowa City. 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