Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $58,142 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $58,142/year (≈ $27.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $64,316 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Ottumwa, Iowa, is set at $58,142. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $70,247, highlighting a gap that potential PTAs should consider as they plan their careers. Salaries in this local market range from $44,883 at the 10th percentile to as high as $71,887 at the 90th percentile, with many factors influencing this variation, including experience, setting, and employer type. These estimates are derived from state-level data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and take into account regional price adjustments, emphasizing the importance of understanding local compensation dynamics. For those considering their professional journey as a PTA, these numbers shed light on both the opportunities and limitations within Ottumwa’s job market.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,883 | $21.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,242 | $25.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,142 | $27.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,325 | $31.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,887 | $34.56 |
Median Salary Position
17.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,004 (2026 est.). At $58,142, the local median is 17.23% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ottumwa Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $58,142/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,518 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -17.23% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $58,142 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.23% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $62,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $58,142 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,316 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,660
2025 BLS Actual
$56,597
2026 Current Est.
$58,142
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,471 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,638 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,038 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,466 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,142 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,729 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $48,660 (2019) to $56,597 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,729 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,069 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $44,883 – $53,242 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,242 – $58,142 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,142 – $65,325 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,325 – $71,887 |
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 Ottumwa
The local job market for physical therapist assistants is relatively tight, with only five individuals currently employed in Ottumwa, IA. Coupled with a cost of living index of 90.4, earnings can have a tangible impact on purchasing power in the area. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities generally offer the most competitive salaries, often influenced by their reliance on Medicare reimbursements. The 15% cut to Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA services has squeezed pay in settings heavily dependent on these funds, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. Factors like productivity expectations, supervisory requirements, and whether a position includes weekend or PRN work can also affect how much a PTA earns. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Ottumwa, pursuing opportunities in higher-paying settings, seeking experience in diverse practice areas, and considering the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway can enhance long-term financial outcomes.
More salary data for Ottumwa, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Ottumwa, IA in 2026?
Is Ottumwa, IA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Ottumwa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Ottumwa?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Ottumwa?
Related Pages
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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 $56,597 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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