Physical Therapist Salary in Waterloo, IA: $99,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Waterloo, IA earns a median $99,571/year (≈ $47.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $114,374 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapists in Waterloo, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $99,571 as of the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This figure places local earnings slightly lower than the national median of $105,288, reflecting a variance in the salary range from $76,702 at the 10th percentile to $122,173 at the 90th percentile. The outpatient therapy market often pays less than hospital systems, but private practices might offer performance incentives that could narrow the difference. Understanding this structure is essential for job seekers in Waterloo, as various settings can impact overall compensation differently.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,702 | $36.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,595 | $41.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,571 | $47.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,644 | $51.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,173 | $58.74 |
Median Salary Position
5.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,471 (2026 est.). At $99,571, the local median is 5.43% below the national median of $105,288.
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How Waterloo Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $99,571/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $99,870 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.43% less |
Physical Therapists in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $99,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.43% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% below the Iowa state average of $99,870.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 12.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.057 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,571 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,374 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,870
2025 BLS Actual
$97,180
2026 Current Est.
$99,571
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,020 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 18.7% from $81,870 (2019) to $97,180 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,150 (24.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,702 – $85,595 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,595 – $99,571 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,571 – $107,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,644 – $122,173 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Waterloo
With around 120 physical therapists currently employed in the area, the job market appears stable, albeit with a cost-of-living index of 87.057, suggesting that purchasing power is somewhat favorable compared to national standards. Among the local employers, outpatient orthopedic chains like Athletico and ATI might offer lower base salaries, but could include bonuses linked to productivity, a vital factor for maximizing overall compensation. Moreover, strategies for increasing pay could involve pursuing board specialization such as OCS or SCS, which can lead to stipend opportunities. Additionally, professionals may find lucrative options in skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies, which often provide better pay scales. Ultimately, understanding the dynamics between productivity expectations and reimbursement models, such as cash-pay vs. insurance practices, can help local physical therapists strategically position themselves for higher earnings.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Waterloo, IA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Waterloo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Waterloo?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,180 for physical therapistsin the Waterloo metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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