PayByState

Iowa · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in Iowa

Median $90,740 · Top 10% earn $105,280+ · Roughly 2,444 workers in Iowa. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Iowa median
$90,740
$43.63/hr
Top 10%
$105,280
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$61,750
Entry-level range
Real pay
$101,613
CoL-adjusted (RPP 89.3)

Iowa pays modestly below the U.S. median for physical therapists — $90,740 versus the national median of $99,710. Iowa's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $1,903 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 2,444 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in Iowa

Iowa pays close to the U.S. median for physical therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Iowa ranks #39 of 50 states

Where Iowa sits in the national distribution for physical therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Iowa
#36 Georgia $91,730 +$990
#35 Nebraska $92,730 +$1,990
#34 North Carolina $92,730 +$1,990
#39 Iowa (this page) $90,740 —
#44 South Dakota $88,740 −$2,000
#45 Oklahoma $88,740 −$2,000
#46 Kentucky $88,740 −$2,000
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Iowa

The typical path is a doctor of physical therapy (dpt) + state license, taking about 36 months. Tuition ranges from $50,000 (community college) to $175,000 (private accelerated). On the Iowa median of $90,740, payback periods are typically 3 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Physical Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Iowa selected.

Physical Therapist salary in Iowa — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in Iowa?
The median physical therapist salary in Iowa is $90,740 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $61,750; the top 10% earn $105,280 or more. About 2,444 people work in this role across the state.
How does Iowa physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
Iowa's median of $90,740 is $8,970 below the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 89.3), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $101,613.
Is physical therapist a good career in Iowa?
On the data: Iowa employs roughly 2,444 physical therapists, with a median wage of $90,740 and the top decile clearing $105,280. The role is projected to grow +15% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for physical therapists in Iowa?
At the Iowa median of $90,740 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $43.63/hr. The top 10% earn around $50.62/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $29.69/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Iowa-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1123: Physical Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Iowa's RPP is 89.3 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.