Physical Therapist Salary in Muscatine, IA: $93,286 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Muscatine, IA earns a median $93,286/year (≈ $44.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $103,192 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Muscatine, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for physical therapists in 2026 is estimated at $93,286, which is notably lower than the national figure of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $77,705 at the 10th percentile to $116,308 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the local market dynamics shaped by structural choices, such as working in outpatient clinics versus hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Understanding these context-specific factors is crucial for potential job seekers in Muscatine, as each type of employer tends to offer differing compensation packages that can directly impact earning potential.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,705 | $37.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,359 | $39.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,286 | $44.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,859 | $51.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,308 | $55.92 |
Median Salary Position
11.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,603 (2026 est.). At $93,286, the local median is 11.4% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $93,286/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $99,878 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -11.40% less |
Physical Therapists in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $93,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $99,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $93,286 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,192 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,244
2025 BLS Actual
$91,046
2026 Current Est.
$93,286
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,244 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,635 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,581 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,344 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,609 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,046 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,286 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,581 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $79,244 (2019) to $91,046 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,581 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,337 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $77,705 – $82,359 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,359 – $93,286 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,286 – $107,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,859 – $116,308 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Muscatine
Given that there are currently five physical therapists employed within Muscatine, job competition is relatively manageable, allowing for a stable professional environment. The cost of living index for the area stands at 90.4, indicating that housing and essential expenses are below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of physical therapist pay in Muscatine, IA. In this local market, outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico, along with hospital rehabilitation services, often provide the highest salaries; however, opportunities exist to increase earnings significantly through board specialization certifications such as OCS or SCS and taking on roles in cash-pay models. The variance between salary levels can also be influenced by productivity expectations, including units billed per visit and number of visits per day. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist salary in Muscatine, pursuing additional certifications, focusing on high-demand specialties, and considering travel PT roles that may offer premium pay could prove beneficial.
More salary data for Muscatine, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Muscatine, IA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Muscatine?
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Related Pages
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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
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 $91,046 for physical therapistsin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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