Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ames, IA: $63,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ames, IA earns a median $63,734/year (≈ $30.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $71,748 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Ames, Iowa, offers a competitive physical therapist assistant salary in Ames that reflects the evolving demands of the healthcare sector. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected to be $63,734, which is notably lower than the national median of $70,247. While local pay ranges from $51,560 at the 10th percentile to $75,784 at the 90th percentile, this disparity highlights a significant market shift influenced by structural changes post-Medicare cuts. The landscape has shifted, with outpatient clinics facing reimbursement challenges and skilled nursing facilities adapting to new productivity standards. Despite these factors, the job market in Ames remains steady, providing opportunities for physical therapist assistants to thrive in various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,560 | $24.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,502 | $25.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,734 | $30.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,186 | $30.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,784 | $36.44 |
Median Salary Position
9.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,224 (2026 est.). At $63,734, the local median is 9.27% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be above the median
How Ames Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ames median: $63,734/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,484 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.27% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ames, IA earn a median of $63,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.27% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% above the Iowa state average of $62,484.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,734 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,748 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.57% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,870
2025 BLS Actual
$62,040
2026 Current Est.
$63,734
2019–2027 Growth
+26.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,228 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,474 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 19.6% from $51,870 (2019) to $62,040 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,474 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,604 (26.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,560 – $53,502 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,502 – $63,734 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,734 – $64,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,186 – $75,784 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Ames
Analyzing the local job market reveals a total of 30 physical therapist assistants employed in Ames, underscoring a modest but stable demand for this profession. The cost of living index in Ames is notably lower than the national average at 88.83, which enhances the overall take-home pay as locals contend with everyday expenses. Among available employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, while skilled nursing facilities exhibit lower compensation due to the impact of the Medicare 15% cut. The pay gap can also be attributed to productivity expectations, the nuances of weekend or PRN shifts, and supervision requirements under state laws. To maximize pay in the Ames market, aspiring physical therapist assistants should consider specializing in high-demand areas, pursuing further education through PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, and seeking positions that provide additional benefits during peak operational hours.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $62,040 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ames metropolitan area. A 2.73% 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, 6-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