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Physical Therapist Aides in Iowa

Thinking about a career as a Physical Therapist Aides in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know. Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.

What do Physical Therapist Aides Make in Iowa?

For physical therapist aides working in Iowa, wages run about $36,440 per year (or roughly $17.52/hour).Pay can range from $28,230 at the 10th percentile to $44,920 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$28,230	$13.57
25th percentile	$33,810	$16.25
Median (50th)	$36,440	$17.52
75th percentile	$41,840	$20.11
90th percentile	$44,920	$21.60

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa compared to the national average — is 0.68, indicating fewer physical therapist aides per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, physical therapist aides earn a median of $32,519 per year ($15.63/hour), above the Iowa median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 195,608 physical therapist aides nationwide. In Iowa alone, around 300 people work in this role. That trails the typical state, which employs around 630 physical therapist aides.

Top Iowa Metros for Physical Therapist Aides

These are the Iowa metros with the most physical therapist aides in Iowa.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	40	$31,030
Cedar Rapids, IA	30	$36,180

Top States for Physical Therapist Aides Employment

These states have the highest employment of physical therapist aides work.

State	Number Employed
California	6,800
Texas	4,170
New York	4,080
New Jersey	2,140
Arizona	1,840
Michigan	1,560
Louisiana	1,510
Florida	1,260
Georgia	1,160
Virginia	1,050
Maryland	1,030
Pennsylvania	980
Oregon	920
Indiana	900
Missouri	900
Ohio	870
Utah	840
Tennessee	840
North Carolina	780
Washington	740

Highest-Paying States for Physical Therapist Aides

The highest-paying states for physical therapist aides.

State	Annual Median Salary
Minnesota	$44,340
Alaska	$42,320
Massachusetts	$38,000
District of Columbia	$37,820
Washington	$37,730
Colorado	$37,210
Hawaii	$36,470
Iowa	$36,440
Pennsylvania	$36,420
California	$36,290

Skills

The most important physical therapist aides skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for physical therapist aides, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, physical therapist aides typically:

• Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
• Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
• Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
• Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
• Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
• Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
• Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
• Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
• Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules.
• Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.
• Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.

Work Activities

• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Working with Computers
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Epic Systems

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

• Health Aids & Attendants

Related Careers

Other careers like physical therapist aides include:

• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Radiation Therapists
• Recreational Therapists
• Respiratory Therapists
• Acute Care Nurses

Also Known As

Aide, Outpatient Aide, Outpatient Therapy Aide, PT Attendant (Physical Therapy Attendant), PT Tech (Physical Therapist Technician), PT Tech (Physical Therapy Technician), Physical Therapist Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Aide (PTA), Physiotherapy Aide, Rehabilitation Aide, Rehabilitation Attendant, Rehabilitation Technician (Rehabilitation Tech), Rehabilitation Therapy Aide, Restorative Aide (RA), Therapy Aide.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 31-2022.00