PT Assistant Salary

Davenport vs North Liberty: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Davenport, IA and North Liberty, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$62,799
$30.19/hr
North Liberty, IA
$58,931
$28.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IANorth Liberty, IA
Median Salary$62,799$58,931
Hourly Rate$30.19$28.33
Entry Level (P10)$45,068$41,824
25th Percentile$59,830$54,945
75th Percentile$78,434$67,133
Top Earner (P90)$96,155$74,352
Total Employed1406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($62,799) and North Liberty ($58,931) physical therapist assistant salaries.DavenportNorth LibertyMedian Salary$62,799$58,931Entry Level (P10)$45,068$41,824Top Earner (P90)$96,155$74,352US Median $70,247

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Liberty.

The salary gap between Davenport and North Liberty is $3,868 (6.56%). Davenport's median is -10.60% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $51,087,North Liberty spans $32,528. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$45,068
P25$59,830
Median$62,799
P75$78,434
P90 (Top)$96,155
North Liberty
P10 (Entry)$41,824
P25$54,945
Median$58,931
P75$67,133
P90 (Top)$74,352

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($70,498 effective) pays 8.14% more than North Liberty ($65,189 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $62,799
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $70,498
North Liberty
Nominal: $58,931
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $65,189

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,799/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,155)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,498)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose North Liberty if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Davenport grew 12.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.1% growth in North Liberty over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+12.5%

$54,320 (2019) → $61,130 (2025)

North Liberty, IA

+12.1%

$51,151 (2024) → $57,365 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Davenport or North Liberty?

Davenport has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $62,799/year, compared to North Liberty at $58,931/year — a difference of $3,868 (6.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and North Liberty?

Davenport physical therapist assistants earn $30.19/hr while North Liberty hygienists earn $28.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to North Liberty as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and North Liberty. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $70,498, North Liberty = $65,189), job availability (140 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Davenport vs North Liberty?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $45,068 in Davenport and $41,824 in North Liberty. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov