Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ankeny, IA: $60,730 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ankeny, IA earns a median $60,730/year (≈ $29.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $67,179 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $60,730 projected for 2026, physical therapist assistants in Ankeny, IA, are seeing a competitive compensation landscape despite being slightly below the national median of $70,247. The salary range for PTAs locally extends from $43,275 at the 10th percentile to $80,948 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations based on experience, employer type, and practice settings. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, highlighting how pivotal productivity and patient visit frequencies are in determining effective compensation within this role. Ankeny's job market, buoyed by a strategic location and growing healthcare sector, creates promising opportunities for physical therapist assistants.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,275 | $20.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,323 | $25.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,204 | $34.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,948 | $38.91 |
Median Salary Position
13.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,673 (2026 est.). At $60,730, the local median is 13.55% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ankeny Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $60,730/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,479 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.55% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $60,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.55% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $62,479.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,730 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,179 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,825
2025 BLS Actual
$59,116
2026 Current Est.
$60,730
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,672 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,399 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,116 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,730 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,825 (2019) to $59,116 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,563 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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) | $43,275 – $53,323 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,323 – $60,730 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,730 – $71,204 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,204 – $80,948 |
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 Ankeny
In terms of local employment, Ankeny currently has 16 physical therapist assistants, a figure that suggests a modest market yet ample room for growth, particularly against the backdrop of a cost-of-living index of 90.4. This lower index signifies that take-home pay holds greater purchasing power, allowing professionals in this field to stretch their earnings further. Among the highest-paying employers are outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facility rehab, where PTA pay can vary significantly, often due to the productivity expectations set by the settings—hospitals typically offering more competitive pay than outpatient or nursing settings. The differences in compensation can stem from various factors, including the impact of the 15% Medicare cuts, which have particularly affected earnings in SNFs and outpatient practices. To maximize pay in Ankeny, PTAs should consider roles in outpatient settings, seek weekend or PRN shifts that often come with a premium, and explore opportunities for supervisory roles or continuing education pathways like PTA-to-DPT transitions.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Ankeny?
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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 $59,116 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ankeny 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
Salary data for Ankeny 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 2.73%, 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