How much does a Physical Therapist make in Iowa?

The average Physical Therapist salary in Iowa is around $98,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $74,661 annually ($6,222/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Iowa?

On a $98,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $74,661/year or $6,222/month. Federal tax: $12,730. State tax: $3,112. FICA: $0.00.

Is $98,000 a good Physical Therapist salary?

$98,000 is a competitive salary for a Physical Therapist — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect Physical Therapist salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $98,000 is $3,112. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 23.8%.

What are the career growth prospects for Physical Therapists?

15% growth through 2032 (much faster than average). Related roles include: Sports PT, Orthopedic PT, Neurological PT, Pediatric PT, PT Assistant.

How can a Physical Therapist in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Physical Therapist Salary in Iowa (2026)

The average Physical Therapist in Iowa earns around $98,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $74,661/year ($6,222/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$74,661
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$6,222
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,872
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$36/hr
Federal Tax	$12,730
State Tax	$3,112
FICA Taxes	$7,497
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	23.82%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Got a year-end bonus, sign-on, or retention payout? See the bonus calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

Key terms:···

Physical Therapist Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$78,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$98,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$135,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Physical Therapists earn the same — not even close

Iowa's physical therapy market is anchored by University of Iowa Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science Iowa City (the substantial UI DPT pipeline + only IA public DPT-granting institution + the substantial UI Health Care rehabilitation), Des Moines University DPT Des Moines (the substantial DMU DPT + Osteopathic Medicine), Clarke University Dubuque DPT + Allen College Waterloo DPT, UnityPoint Health Rehabilitation Network (UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines Rehab + UnityPoint St Luke Cedar Rapids + UnityPoint Allen Waterloo + UnityPoint Trinity Quad Cities + multi-state IA + IL + WI), UIHC Rehabilitation + Stead Family Childrens pediatric PT, MercyOne Trinity Health (MercyOne Des Moines + Cedar Rapids + Waterloo + Sioux City rehab), Genesis Health Davenport rehab + Mercy Iowa City, the substantial IA agricultural injury rehab + IA Big Ten football + sports PT, plus IA PT Compact since 2019 enabling multi-state mobility.

Senior PT (UI Health Care / UIHC)

$85,000–$128,000+ bonus

UIHC Iowa City · the only IA Level 1 + Burn + UI Carver Med rehab

Senior PT (UnityPoint Rehab Network)

$78,000–$115,000+ bonus

UnityPoint Methodist + St Luke + Allen + Trinity · multi-state acute + outpatient

Senior PT (MercyOne / Genesis)

$75,000–$112,000+ bonus

MercyOne Des Moines + Cedar Rapids + Waterloo + Sioux City + Genesis Davenport

Senior Pediatric PT (Stead Family)

$75,000–$108,000

Stead Family Childrens Hospital UIHC · pediatric + congenital + post-surgical PT

Senior PT Owner / Independent Practice

$95,000–$172,000+ profit

PT clinic owner · the substantial IA outpatient ortho + sports + manual therapy

Senior Sports PT (IA Hawkeyes / ISU Cyclones)

$82,000–$118,000

Sports PT at UI + ISU + the substantial IA Big Ten + Big 12 collegiate athletics

Senior Home Health PT

$72,000–$108,000

Home health PT at UnityPoint Home Care + Encompass Health + LHC Group IA

Senior Federal Civilian PT (VA Iowa City)

$78,000–$115,000

VA Iowa City + VA Central Iowa Des Moines · GS-12/13 federal civilian PT

Mid-Career PT (3-7 yrs)

$62,000–$88,000

Functional PT at IA health systems · transitioning to senior band

New PT (Step 1-2)

$58,000–$72,000

New grad PT at UnityPoint + MercyOne + UI Health Care + private practice · entry band

Worth knowing: University of Iowa Department of Physical Therapy + UIHC rehabilitation + the substantial UnityPoint multi-state rehab network is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state academic medical center + multi-state PT anchor and a feature most national PT surveys understate for IA. UI Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science (the substantial UI DPT + only IA public DPT-granting institution + the substantial UI Health Care rehabilitation including UIHC inpatient + UIHC outpatient + UI Children's Hospital Stead Family + UI Burn Center) supports substantial IA PT pipeline. Senior UI Health Care PTs clear $85-128K+ bonus. UnityPoint Health Rehabilitation Network (UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines + UnityPoint St Luke Cedar Rapids + UnityPoint Allen Waterloo + UnityPoint Trinity Quad Cities + the substantial UnityPoint multi-state IA + IL + WI rehab + UnityPoint Home Care home health) supports substantial IA rehab. Des Moines University DMU + Clarke University Dubuque + Allen College Waterloo DPT supply IA PT pipeline. MercyOne + Genesis + Mercy Iowa City + the substantial IA agricultural injury rehab + the substantial IA Big Ten + Big 12 collegiate sports PT. IA PT Compact since 2019 supports multi-state PT mobility. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 anchor the IA PT proposition.