Physical Therapist Assistants Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $62,960 -3.9% vs national
Median hourly $30.27
10th percentile $49,950
90th percentile $93,600
Employed locally 240
National median $65,510

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Physical Therapist Assistants
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,950
    25th
    $60,350
    50th (median)
    $62,960
    75th
    $74,880
    90th
    $93,600

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Physical Therapist Assistants salary vs area income 75% Median Physical Therapist Assistants salary is 25% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physical Therapist Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,350
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $97,230
    Modesto, CA $96,120
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $90,000
    Spartanburg, SC $85,470
    Salinas, CA $84,210

    Nearby metros — Physical Therapist Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $82,430
    East Georgia nonmetropolitan area $80,620
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $80,110
    Visalia, CA $79,850
    California $79,410
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $78,940

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $35,480
    Nursing Assistants $39,790
    Medical Assistants $45,700
    Dental Assistants $48,680
    Phlebotomists $39,200
    Massage Therapists $73,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physical Therapist Assistants make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in Des Moines, IA is $30.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.33 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Physical Therapist Assistants salaries?

    The median Physical Therapist Assistants salary in Des Moines, IA is 3.9% below the national median of $65,510. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physical Therapist Assistants in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Physical Therapist Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $49,950 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,350.