Physical Therapist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $108,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Des Moines, WA earns a median $108,913/year (≈ $52.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $101,409 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Des Moines, WA, is projected to reach a median of $108,913, which places it slightly above the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $83,591 at the 10th percentile to $139,569 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect a thriving local market that's increasingly appealing, especially for specialists in cash-pay models prevalent in sports and orthopedic clinics. As employers adapt to the growing demand for personalized care, the potential for higher income through specialized services is shaping the job market for physical therapists in Des Moines.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($99,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,591 | $40.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,717 | $44.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,913 | $52.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,333 | $61.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,569 | $67.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,978 (2026 est.). At $108,913, the local median is 3.44% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $108,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $109,902 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +3.44% more |
Physical Therapists in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $108,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $109,902.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,913 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,409 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,519
2025 BLS Actual
$106,298
2026 Current Est.
$108,913
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,519 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,143 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,912 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,084 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,143 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,343 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,298 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $92,519 (2019) to $106,298 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,073 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $83,591 – $91,717 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,717 – $108,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,913 – $127,333 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,333 – $139,569 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Des Moines
While only seven physical therapists are currently employed in Des Moines, the wages they command signify a competitive local job market. The cost-of-living index of 107.4 indicates that take-home pay must accommodate a slightly elevated living standard, reminding professionals to consider the full compensation package offered by potential employers. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including established names like ATI or Athletico, tend to pay competitively, although hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities may offer higher salaries due to more comprehensive patient care models. Factors such as productivity expectations—requiring therapists to meet specific visit quotas—and board certifications like OCS or SCS can widen the pay gap within the field. To maximize physical therapist pay in Des Moines, professionals should focus on enhancing their skills through specialization, pivoting toward cash-pay models, and exploring opportunities that offer performance bonuses to improve overall compensation.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Des Moines, WA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Des Moines?
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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 $106,298 for physical therapistsin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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