How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make in Iowa in 2026?

A typical Physical Therapist in Iowa earns about $46.90 per hour ($97,560 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $8,130 a month or $1,876 a week. This is the typical statewide pay, covering therapists in hospitals, clinics, and schools alike. It sits above what a new graduate usually earns and below what an experienced therapist can reach in a specialized role.

That pay sits 5% below the national figure of $102,760 a year, placing Iowa 45th out of 51 states and D.C. for this occupation. Lower pay in Iowa generally tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states. About 2,530 Physical Therapists work across the state, enough to staff hospitals, clinics, schools, and rehabilitation centers in every region.

Entry-level positions in Iowa typically offer around $35.47 an hour (about $73,780 a year) for Physical Therapists just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $97,560 within the first several years on the job. New graduates often start in outpatient or skilled nursing settings before moving into higher-paying roles. The gap between starting pay and typical pay reflects the value employers place on clinical experience.

Experienced Physical Therapists in Iowa often earn upwards of $51.00 an hour (about $106,070 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $58.04 an hour ($120,730 a year). That leaves a spread of $46,950 between entry-level and top pay statewide. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where a therapist lands within that range. Those in specialized clinical roles or higher-paying cities tend to sit closer to the top.

Iowa's typical Physical Therapist pay rose from $77,140 in 2015 to $97,560 in 2025, a gain of $20,420 over the decade. That works out to a 26% increase in pay for the occupation over ten years. The rise was not perfectly steady; pay dipped slightly in 2021 before climbing sharply from 2022 onward. Still, the overall trend across the decade points in one direction: up.

Nationally, Physical Therapist pay rose 22% over the same decade, so Iowa's 26% increase outpaced the national trend. For someone starting a Physical Therapist career in Iowa now, the record shows steady pay growth over the past ten years, though past gains do not guarantee future increases. Anyone weighing the decision can take the decade of data as a sign that pay has moved in a favorable direction for this occupation in the state.

Pay runs highest in Sioux City, where Physical Therapists typically earn $100,380 a year ($48.26 an hour), about 3% above the statewide figure. Dubuque and Davenport follow closely, with typical pay of $99,840 and $99,410 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center. Several of Iowa's smaller metro areas outpace the state's largest city on typical pay.

At the other end, Ames typically pays Physical Therapists $90,610 a year ($43.56 an hour), putting the spread between Iowa's highest- and lowest-paying cities at $9,770. Des Moines, home to the largest Physical Therapist workforce in the state at 740 jobs, pays a typical $97,790 a year, close to the statewide figure. Cities with lower pay generally carry a lower cost of living, so take-home value does not always track the raw number.

Among Iowa's neighbors, Illinois pays the most, with Physical Therapists typically earning $105,250 a year, about 8% more than Iowa. Minnesota ($102,010), Wisconsin ($101,840), and Missouri ($99,310) also pay somewhat more, while Nebraska runs about even at $97,090. South Dakota pays the least among the group, at $92,660 a year, about 5% below Iowa's figure. Physical therapy licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which is worth checking when weighing a move.

Physical Therapists in Iowa typically earn $97,560 a year, up 26% over the past decade from $77,140 in 2015. Pay varies by city, from $100,380 in Sioux City to $90,610 in Ames, and sits a bit below the national figure overall. Anyone considering this career in Iowa can check the state licensing board's page for requirements and review the city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to practice.