Healthcare Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Physical Therapist Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median physical therapist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $85,994 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$85,994
vs State Avg
$-977
vs National
$-11,726
Cost of Living
88%

Physical Therapist Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median physical therapist salary of $85,994, which is $977 below the Iowa state average of $86,971. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Cedar Rapids pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cedar Rapids's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $85,994 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $97,720 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for physical therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physical therapists in Cedar Rapids spans from $58,784 at the 10th percentile to $114,576 at the 90th percentile — a $55,792 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,840, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $112,640. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $59,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $112,640 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,840
$-8,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,240
$-11,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$112,640
$-15,360 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $58,784
25th Percentile $70,576
Median (50th) $85,994
75th Percentile $102,432
90th Percentile $114,576

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$92,834
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$89,902
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$84,039
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$82,085
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Cedar Rapids

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Cedar Rapids may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open physical therapist positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $85,994 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $58,784 (10th percentile) to $114,576 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,994, a physical therapist in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median physical therapist salary of $85,994 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $86,971. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $85,994 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Cedar Rapids require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.