Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Dubuque, IA: $53,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Dubuque, IA earns a median $53,050/year (≈ $25.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Dubuque's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.3), that paycheck buys what $60,748 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.1% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, IA, the projected compensation for physical therapist assistants shows a median annual salary of $53,050, which is considerably lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range varies from $32,185 at the 10th percentile to $66,703 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant disparities based on experience, skills, and practice settings. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect the overall productivity expectations in the field, where the volume of patient visits per day plays a crucial role in shaping effective compensation. For physical therapist assistants eager to establish their careers in Dubuque, understanding these figures is vital for navigating job opportunities and making informed decisions regarding their professional development.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,185 | $15.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,342 | $17.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,050 | $25.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,703 | $32.07 |
Median Salary Position
24.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dubuque
In Dubuque, IA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,518 (2026 est.). At $53,050, the local median is 24.48% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dubuque: You'd be above the median
How Dubuque Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Dubuque median: $53,050/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dubuque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,485 | -15.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -24.48% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $53,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.48% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 15.10% below the Iowa state average of $62,485.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dubuque has a cost of living 12.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dubuque, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.328 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $53,050 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,748 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.51% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$40,440
2025 BLS Actual
$51,640
2026 Current Est.
$53,050
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dubuque metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 27.7% from $40,440 (2019) to $51,640 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,058 (34.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque 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) | $32,185 – $37,342 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,342 – $53,050 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,050 – $61,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,340 – $66,703 |
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 Dubuque
In terms of job market dynamics, Dubuque employs around 50 physical therapist assistants, creating a competitive yet manageable environment for new practitioners. The cost of living index in the area stands at 87.328, slightly below the national average, which contributes to the take-home purchasing power of PTAs in the region. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest compensation packages compared to other settings like skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. Several factors impact salary variations, including expectations for productivity during patient sessions and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on certain practice areas. Physical therapist assistants looking to enhance their earnings may consider specializing in high-demand areas or seeking work in settings where productivity incentives are prevalent. Exploring positions in outpatient facilities or pursuing PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways may also prove beneficial for career advancement in Dubuque’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Dubuque, IA in 2026?
Is Dubuque, IA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Dubuque?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Dubuque?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Dubuque?
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
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 $51,640 for physical therapist assistantsin the Dubuque 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, 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