Healthcare Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Physical Therapist Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median physical therapist salary in Des Moines, IA is $89,902 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$89,902
vs State Avg
+$2,931
vs National
$-7,818
Cost of Living
92%

Physical Therapist Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median physical therapist salary of $89,902, which is $2,931 above the Iowa state average of $86,971. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physical therapists in Des Moines spans from $61,456 at the 10th percentile to $119,784 at the 90th percentile — a $58,328 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $62,560, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,760. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $62,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$62,560
$-5,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,160
$-7,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$117,760
$-10,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $61,456
25th Percentile $73,784
Median (50th) $89,902
75th Percentile $107,088
90th Percentile $119,784

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$92,834
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$85,994
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$84,039
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$82,085
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Des Moines

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Des Moines 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 Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open physical therapist positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $89,902 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $61,456 (10th percentile) to $119,784 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,902, a physical therapist in Des Moines earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Des Moines's median physical therapist salary of $89,902 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $86,971. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $89,902 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Des Moines? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Des Moines 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.