Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $62,220 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $62,220/year (≈ $29.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $68,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in West Des Moines, IA, can expect a median annual salary of $62,220 in 2026. The full salary range extends from $44,879 at the 10th percentile to $81,343 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of settings and responsibilities in this profession. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data account for regional cost adjustments, underscoring how the market conditions inform compensation levels. Although physical therapist assistant pay in West Des Moines lags behind the national median of $70,247 by 11.43%, this locality still offers opportunities for growth, demanding effective productivity and visits-per-day to enhance earnings.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,879 | $21.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,676 | $25.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,996 | $34.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,343 | $39.11 |
Median Salary Position
11.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,464 (2026 est.). At $62,220, the local median is 11.43% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $62,220/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,470 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.43% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $62,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.43% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $62,470.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines 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.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,220 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,827 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,073
2025 BLS Actual
$60,567
2026 Current Est.
$62,220
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,073 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,941 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,758 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,004 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,567 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,220 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,919 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,073 (2019) to $60,567 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,919 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,846 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Des Moines 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) | $44,879 – $53,676 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,676 – $62,220 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,220 – $71,996 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,996 – $81,343 |
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 West Des Moines
Examining the local job market, only 16 physical therapist assistants are currently employed in West Des Moines, IA. This limited size underscores the importance of understanding the cost-of-living reality, with a CoL index of 90.4 indicating below-average expenses that can enhance purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest salaries, while skilled nursing facilities often struggle to provide competitive wages due to the recent 15% Medicare cut impacting PTA services. Factors influencing salary disparities include productivity expectations and the different payment rates among various settings. To maximize their pay, physical therapist assistants should consider working in high-demand environments, expanding their specialties in outpatient care, and taking advantage of any weekend or PRN premium opportunities. Additionally, they might explore pathways to advance their careers, such as pursuing a bridge to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in West Des Moines, IA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in West Des Moines?
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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 $60,567 for physical therapist assistantsin the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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