Healthcare Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Physical Therapist Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median physical therapist salary in Iowa City, IA is $92,834 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$92,834
vs State Avg
+$5,863
vs National
$-4,886
Cost of Living
95%

Physical Therapist Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median physical therapist salary of $92,834, which is $5,863 above the Iowa state average of $86,971. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% 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 Iowa City spans from $63,460 at the 10th percentile to $123,690 at the 90th percentile — a $60,230 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,600, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $121,600. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physical Therapist Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $64,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $121,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$64,600
$-3,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$93,100
$-4,900 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$121,600
$-6,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $63,460
25th Percentile $76,190
Median (50th) $92,834
75th Percentile $110,580
90th Percentile $123,690

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$89,902
Pop. 214,133
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 Iowa City

Education

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

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open physical therapist positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $92,834 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $63,460 (10th percentile) to $123,690 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $92,834, a physical therapist in Iowa City earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Iowa City's median physical therapist salary of $92,834 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $86,971. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $92,834 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Iowa City? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Iowa City 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.