Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Waukee, IA: $59,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Waukee, IA earns a median $59,787/year (≈ $28.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Waukee's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $66,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Waukee, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $59,787, which is notably lower than the national median of $70,247. The local salary range spans from $43,653 at the lower 10th percentile to $71,448 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. The job market in Waukee reflects a blend of productivity expectations and patient throughput, as the ability to manage visits effectively can significantly influence earnings, underscoring the demand for skilled professionals in the area.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,653 | $20.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,120 | $25.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,787 | $28.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,642 | $31.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,448 | $34.35 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukee
In Waukee, IA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,795 (2026 est.). At $59,787, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukee: You'd be above the median
How Waukee Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Waukee median: $59,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,473 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -14.89% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Waukee, IA earn a median of $59,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $62,473.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukee 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.
Waukee, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $59,787 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,136 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,036
2025 BLS Actual
$58,198
2026 Current Est.
$59,787
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,036 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,893 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,198 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,419 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukee metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,036 (2019) to $58,198 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,419 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,383 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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) | $43,653 – $53,120 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,120 – $59,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,787 – $65,642 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,642 – $71,448 |
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 Waukee
Currently, only four physical therapist assistants are employed in Waukee, indicating a competitive job market with limited positions available. The area's cost of living index of 90.4 suggests that while wages may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains quite reasonable. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, partly due to their higher reimbursement rates compared to skilled nursing facilities that have been affected by the Medicare 15% cut on services delivered by PTAs. This disparity in pay is influenced by factors such as productivity demands, weekend shifts, and supervision requirements. For those looking to elevate their physical therapist assistant pay in Waukee, pursuing opportunities in higher-paying settings, obtaining specialized certifications, or transitioning to management roles may provide lucrative pathways to enhance compensation in this evolving market.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Waukee, IA in 2026?
Is Waukee, IA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Waukee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Waukee?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Waukee?
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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 $58,198 for physical therapist assistantsin the Waukee 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 Waukee 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