Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $61,360 a year ($29.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,370 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $61,030. There are 0.43 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $64,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $54,600 | $26.25 |
| Median | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| 75th percentile | $74,120 | $35.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Average (mean) | $64,430 | $30.98 |
Half of physical therapist assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,113.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,556.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,360 |
| Weekly | $1,180 |
| Hourly | $29.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,470 | 440 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $62,850 | 60 |
| Ames, IA | $62,040 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,130 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,530 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,180 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $58,140 | 60 |
| Dubuque, IA | $51,640 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| Orderly | $37,090 | $17.83 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $61,360 a year, or $29.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $96,370 a year. The top 25% earn $74,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,750 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $54,600 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 170 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.