Physical Therapist Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Physical Therapists in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$97,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $102,760
State Rank
#45 of 51
2,530 employed here

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Iowa?

Physical Therapists in Iowa take home a median of $97,560 annually — roughly $46.90 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $102,760.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $73,780 while the top 10% make $120,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,810 and $106,070 a year.

Physical Therapist salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$73,780$35.47
25th percentile (early career)$78,810$37.89
50th percentile (median)$97,560$46.90
75th percentile (experienced)$106,070$51.00
90th percentile (top earners)$120,730$58.04

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Physical Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$124,190
2Alaska$115,280
3New Jersey$112,140
4Nevada$111,250
5Maryland$106,890

Working as a Physical Therapist in Iowa

Nationally, about 267,000 people work as Physical Therapists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($97,560) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Iowa?
The median Physical Therapist salary in Iowa is $97,560 per year, or about $46.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $73,780 at the entry level to $120,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Physical Therapists about 5% less than the national median of $102,760. Iowa ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Physical Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $97,560 a year. About 2,530 Physical Therapists are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Physical Therapist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.