Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Sioux City, IA: $29.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Sioux City, IA runs $29.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,182 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Sioux City's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,308 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Sioux City is projected to be $29.89 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly rate can have different implications for various work arrangements, especially for part-time employees working three days a week or those in per-diem roles. Typical work settings for physical therapist assistants include outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, all of which offer the flexibility to tailor hours based on personal needs. Entry-level positions may start at an hourly rate of around $24.09, while experienced professionals can earn up to $37.71, reflecting the growth potential within this occupation. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrate the immediate earning landscape for PTAs in the region.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.09 | $192.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.44 | $211.54 |
| Median (P50) | $29.89 | $239.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.08 | $248.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.71 | $301.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux City
Based on $29.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.89/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux City, IA can expect to earn approximately $62,180 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,873. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,195.78 | $5,182 | $62,180 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.47 | $3,109 | $37,308 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.31 | $2,073 | $24,872 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Sioux City) | $29.89 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Sioux City, IA earn a median of $62,182 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.48% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $62,495.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.89/hr = $37,308/year (purchasing power: $43,154).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,180/year (purchasing power: $71,923).
CoL index: 86.454 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Sioux City grew 16.3% from $25.02/hr (2019) to $29.10/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Sioux City
For those considering part-time work, a physical therapist assistant in Sioux City working 24 hours a week could potentially take home about $37,190 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Meanwhile, per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Sioux City can range from $32 to $48 per hour, providing flexibility but varying stability and benefits. Some professionals may opt for travel PTA contracts, which typically offer weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800. Despite the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022 affecting the healthcare reimbursement landscape, especially in skilled nursing facilities, the earnings potential reflects diverse employer types like outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab. This situation compels many PTAs to weigh the consideration of a lower hourly pay for job security and health benefits against higher-paying roles without benefits. Effective negotiation in these scenarios can help maximize earning potential, especially for hourly positions where services are in high demand within the Iowa healthcare system.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Sioux City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Sioux City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Sioux City paid hourly or salary?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Sioux City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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