Physical Therapist salary in Iowa City, IA
Physical Therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $94,480 a year ($45.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,170 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $97,560. There are 1.9 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,870 | $34.55 |
| 25th percentile | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Median | $94,480 | $45.42 |
| 75th percentile | $108,230 | $52.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,170 | $59.22 |
| Average (mean) | $96,190 | $46.24 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $7,873.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,936.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,633.85 |
| Weekly | $1,816.92 |
| Hourly | $45.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,480 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 salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $100,380 | 100 |
| Dubuque, IA | $99,840 | 110 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $99,630 | 1,120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $99,410 | 280 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $97,790 | 740 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,180 | 120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,520 | 220 |
| Ames, IA | $90,610 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| Physicians, All Other | $257,340 | $123.72 |
| Pharmacist | $142,530 | $68.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| Chiropractor | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Dentists, General | $199,410 | $95.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. 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 make in Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $94,480 a year, or $45.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $123,170 a year. The top 25% earn $108,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,870 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $82,930 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Iowa City, IA?
About 180 physical therapists are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.