Physical Therapists Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $98,110 -2.9% vs national
Median hourly $47.17
10th percentile $77,580
90th percentile $116,380
Employed locally 800
National median $101,020

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Physical Therapists
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,580
    25th
    $82,350
    50th (median)
    $98,110
    75th
    $106,390
    90th
    $116,380

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Physical Therapists salary vs area income 117% Median Physical Therapists salary is 17% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physical Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,250
    Vallejo, CA $136,440
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $136,200
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $134,810
    Chico, CA $131,370
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,160

    Nearby metros — Physical Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $126,430
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $125,730
    California $123,300
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $121,330
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $119,690
    Williamsport, PA $109,720

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $78,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,120
    Pharmacy Technicians $43,610
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $47,630
    Medical Records Specialists $52,370
    Pharmacists $133,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physical Therapists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Physical Therapists in Des Moines, IA is $47.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $58.04 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Physical Therapists salaries?

    The median Physical Therapists salary in Des Moines, IA is 2.9% below the national median of $101,020. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Physical Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $77,580 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,350.