Physical Therapist Salary in Iowa: $99,410 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $99,410/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $109,967 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux City ($100,380), Dubuque ($99,840), Davenport ($99,410).
As of 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in Iowa is $99,410, which is approximately 5.6% lower than the national median of $105,288. The highest paying city in Iowa is Sioux City, with a projected salary of $102,849, while the lowest is Fort Dodge at $91,685, resulting in a salary gap of $11,164. This difference can be attributed to variations in local demand for physical therapy services, cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Iowa's physical therapists must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing an accredited program and passing the National Physical Therapy Exam. The scope of practice laws in Iowa also support a wide range of services, contributing to the demand for therapists. An annual growth rate of 2.46% indicates a stable job market, with a total of 1,956 physical therapists employed throughout the state. Other top cities for salary include Dubuque at $102,296, Davenport at $101,855, Cedar Falls at $101,694, and Des Moines at $100,196. Overall, the job outlook for physical therapists in Iowa appears positive, driven by an aging population and increasing awareness of physical health.
Iowa Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $66,640 (lowest entry-level) to $142,952 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa physical therapists earn 5.58% less than the national median ($-5,878/year difference).
Iowa Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Iowa range from $74,656 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $125,393 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $99,410. The Iowa median is $5,878 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $47.80/hr. Approximately 1,956 physical therapists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$80,803
2025 BLS Actual
$97,023
2026 Current Est.
$99,410
2019–2027 Growth
+26.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,803 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,047 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,601 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,798 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,539 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,971 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,023 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,410 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 20.1% from $80,803 (2019) to $97,023 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,053 (26.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $91,685 |
| Johnston | $92,707 |
| Ames | $92,839 |
| Ottumwa | $92,932 |
| Muscatine | $93,286 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $102,849 | 86.454 | $118,964 |
| Dubuque | $102,296 | 87.328 | $117,140 |
| Waterloo | $99,571 | 87.057 | $114,374 |
| Davenport | $101,855 | 89.079 | $114,342 |
| Cedar Falls | $101,694 | 90.4 | $112,493 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,656 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $99,410 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $125,393 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux City | $102,849 |
| 2 | Dubuque | $102,296 |
| 3 | Davenport | $101,855 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls | $101,694 |
| 5 | Des Moines | $100,196 |
| 6 | Waterloo | $99,571 |
| 7 | West Des Moines | $98,902 |
| 8 | Marion | $98,216 |
| 9 | Ankeny | $97,069 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $96,845 |
| 11 | Iowa City | $96,804 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $96,460 |
| 13 | Burlington | $95,907 |
| 14 | Waukee | $95,561 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $95,433 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $95,425 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | $95,131 |
| 18 | Coralville | $95,006 |
| 19 | Mason City | $94,565 |
| 20 | North Liberty | $94,195 |
| 21 | Clinton | $93,728 |
| 22 | Muscatine | $93,286 |
| 23 | Ottumwa | $92,932 |
| 24 | Ames | $92,839 |
| 25 | Johnston | $92,707 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $91,685 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Iowa?
How does Iowa physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Iowa?
How many physical therapists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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