Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Marion, IA: $47.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Marion, IA runs $47.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,216 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Marion's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,935 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Marion, Iowa, physical therapists can expect a median hourly pay of $47.22, which falls slightly below the national median of $50.62. This hourly rate is significant for those working part-time, such as in outpatient clinics or during home health visits, where a 3-day work week can translate to a reliable source of income. For therapists seeking flexible arrangements, per-diem work might be attractive; they can command pay reflective of this hourly rate across various settings including hospital rehabilitation units and skilled nursing facilities. The hourly compensation spans a range from $35.79, representing entry-level positions, to $59.66 for more experienced professionals, indicating that Marion's physical therapy services can offer diverse earning potential for those in the field.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.79 | $286.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.32 | $314.59 |
| Median (P50) | $47.22 | $377.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.80 | $438.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.66 | $477.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Marion
Based on $47.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.22/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Marion, IA can expect to earn approximately $98,226 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,669. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Marion.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Marion
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,888.95 | $8,185 | $98,226 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,133.37 | $4,911 | $58,935 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $755.58 | $3,274 | $39,290 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Marion) | $47.22 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Marion, IA earn a median of $98,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.72% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $99,915.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.22/hr = $58,935/year (purchasing power: $65,194).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,226/year (purchasing power: $108,657).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Marion grew 14.9% from $40.12/hr (2019) to $46.09/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.39/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Marion
When considering the financial implications of working part-time or as a per-diem therapist in Marion, the annual income diverges significantly between these arrangements. For instance, a physical therapist engaged on a part-time basis, clocking in 24 hours weekly, would generate a total of approximately $59,000 each year—substantially less than a full-time salary. Per-diem roles, on the other hand, showcase a wider spectrum of pay rates, with some therapists billing $50-$75 per hour for their services, while those in travel PT contracts might secure $1,800-$2,800 weekly, particularly appealing in an increasingly competitive market. Employment settings influence hourly wages; therapists at outpatient orthopedic clinics often experience varying pay compared to colleagues in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, reflecting different operational models and reimbursement challenges. In negotiating their pay, therapists should weigh the balance between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with health insurance and other perks, tailoring their approach to their personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Marion, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Marion in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Marion?
Are physical therapists in Marion paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Marion?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Marion?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Marion. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Marion is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov