Physical Therapist Salary in Mason City, IA: $94,565 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Mason City, IA earns a median $94,565/year (≈ $45.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $104,607 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mason City, Iowa, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $94,565 in 2026, reflecting the local adjustments of state-level data and regional cost factors. With a salary range from $73,702 at the 10th percentile to $118,688 at the 90th percentile, the market dynamics reveal a variety of compensation pathways. These figures highlight a slightly reduced earning potential compared to the national median of $105,288 and indicate that outpatient therapy facilities, often favored for their flexible schedules and patient-centric practices, may offer lower pay compared to hospital settings. As this city continues to evolve with its healthcare services, understanding these financial benchmarks is essential for physical therapists.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,702 | $35.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,170 | $38.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,565 | $45.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,040 | $52.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,688 | $57.06 |
Median Salary Position
10.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,986 (2026 est.). At $94,565, the local median is 10.18% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Mason City median: $94,565/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $99,858 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -10.18% less |
Physical Therapists in Mason City, IA earn a median of $94,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.18% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $99,858.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $94,565 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,607 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$80,331
2025 BLS Actual
$92,295
2026 Current Est.
$94,565
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,742 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,882 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,768 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,556 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,605 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,295 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,565 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,892 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $80,331 (2019) to $92,295 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,892 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,561 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,702 – $80,170 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,170 – $94,565 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,565 – $109,040 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,040 – $118,688 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Mason City
Currently, Mason City employs a modest four physical therapists, indicating a competitive yet limited local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, therapists in the area find that their purchasing power may extend further than in more expensive regions. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those operated by chains like Athletico, often provide the most competitive salaries, particularly when incorporating productivity bonuses tied to metrics like units per visit. Therapists can maximize their pay by pursuing board certifications such as the OCS or SCS, actively engaging in productivity expectations, and recognizing the benefits of cash-pay systems which can offer better margins than traditional insurance models. The ongoing demand for skilled physical therapists makes it crucial to navigate the local market effectively, leveraging qualifications and workplace choices to secure optimal compensation.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Mason City, IA in 2026?
Is Mason City, IA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Mason City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Mason City?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Mason City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $92,295 for physical therapistsin the Mason City metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mason City 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