Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Des Moines, IA: $99,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Des Moines, IA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $99,001/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Des Moines's price premium (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $107,961 in average-cost America. The 57% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, experienced physical therapist assistants in Des Moines, Iowa, have the potential to reach salaries as high as $99,001, representing the P90 for this occupation. This top-tier pay highlights a significant compensation gap when compared to the median annual salary of $63,035 that many in the field earn. For those aiming for the upper echelon of income, specialized skills in areas such as orthopedics, geriatrics, or sports medicine are essential. Navigating the path towards these high-paying roles typically involves a combination of experience, continuing education, and possibly further certifications, all of which can substantiate a professional's value in the competitive Des Moines healthcare market.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Des Moines earn between $76,143 and $99,001 per year (2026 est.). This $52,002 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Des Moines median of $63,035 sits 10.27% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Des Moines | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $63,035 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,143 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $99,001 | $91,954 |
In Des Moines, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 57.06% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Des Moines
Advanced Certifications in Iowa
IA physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $63,035 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Des Moines employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Des Moines command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,143–$99,001 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Des Moines metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Des Moines with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Iowa who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Des Moines
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedDes Moines ranks #1 of 26 Iowa cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $99,001).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Des Moines ($99,001) is 17.28% above the Iowa average P90 ($84,416).
2019 BLS Actual
$78,430
2025 BLS Actual
$96,370
2026 Current Est.
$99,001
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,704 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Des Moines saw their compensation grow 22.9% from $78,430 in 2019 to $96,370 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $101,704 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Des Moines
In Des Moines, senior physical therapist assistants can expect variation in pay based on their area of specialization and the type of employer. Specializations such as orthopedic rehab, pediatric therapy, and home health often command higher salaries due to the specific expertise they require. Compensation also varies greatly by employer; outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities may offer different pay structures, influenced by productivity expectations and reimbursement rates. Leadership roles such as lead PTA or clinic operations supervisor can further enhance earning potential, as can advanced credentials like passing the NPTAE and acquiring APTA proficiency certifications. It's also critical to consider how factors such as the recent 15% Medicare cut impact overall compensation, particularly for those working in settings heavily reliant on Medicare funding, where financial margins are tighter. Comprehensive understanding of these dynamics is essential for maximizing one's earning potential in the senior physical therapist assistant pay landscape in IA.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Des Moines in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Des Moines?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Des Moines?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Des Moines?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Des Moines?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $96,370 for physical therapist assistants in the Des Moines metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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