Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $31.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Waterloo, IA runs $31.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,566 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,744 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterloo, IA, physical therapist assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $31.05, which falls slightly below the national median of $33.77. This rate provides a solid hourly income, especially for part-time professionals working three days a week, who typically find positions in settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. The hourly pay range varies significantly across the spectrum, with entry-level positions earning around $18.42 and seasoned professionals at the top of the pay scale earning up to $35.96. This BLS data is crucial for understanding the expected pay for individuals entering the field or considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in the Waterloo area.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.42 | $147.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.80 | $222.39 |
| Median (P50) | $31.05 | $248.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.55 | $284.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.96 | $287.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $31.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.05/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $64,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,254. With a cost-of-living index of 87.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,241.80 | $5,381 | $64,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.08 | $3,229 | $38,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.72 | $2,152 | $25,829 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Waterloo) | $31.05 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $64,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% above the Iowa state average of $62,503.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.05/hr = $38,744/year (purchasing power: $44,504).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,574/year (purchasing power: $74,174).
CoL index: 87.057 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Waterloo grew 17.7% from $25.67/hr (2019) to $30.22/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.89/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 2.73% 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 Assistant in Waterloo
For those in the profession, working part-time as a physical therapist assistant can translate into a substantial income; for example, a PTA working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home roughly $38,840 annually. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Waterloo typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, which can be significantly more lucrative depending on assignments. However, it’s important for PTAs to consider the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022, which has influenced pay in settings such as skilled nursing facilities. Work environments also affect hourly earnings; outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer higher pay than home health agencies and school therapy programs. While some PTAs may accept lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, discussing hourly rates during negotiations is vital to ensure compensation reflects one's skill level and market demand in Waterloo, IA.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Waterloo in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Waterloo?
Are physical therapist assistants in Waterloo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Waterloo?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Waterloo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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.
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 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Waterloo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov