IA · Dubuque · Updated October 15, 2026

Physical Therapist jobs in Dubuque, IA

The median physical therapist pay in the Dubuque area is $46.31 per hour ($96,320 a year), with the typical range running from $38.74 to $49.75. That ranks 271st of 375 U.S. metro areas for physical therapist pay, and 87th of 338 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Dubuque.

Physical Therapist pay in Dubuque, IA

The metro median is in line with the Iowa statewide median of $46.10 per hour. Nationally the median is $48.57 per hour. BLS counts about 120 physical therapists employed in the Dubuque metro area, 2.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.31).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$33.65$69,99031% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$38.74$80,58020% below U.S. median
Median$46.31$96,3205% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$49.75$103,4802% above U.S. median
Top 10%$50.65$105,3504% above U.S. median

How Dubuque ranks

  • 271st of 375 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 87th of 338 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 8 Iowa metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Dubuque

  • Overall prices in Dubuque run 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 36% below the U.S. average (index 64.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $46.31 median hour buys what $53.03 buys at the national price level, 9% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Dubuque, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Dubuque paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,667
  • Per year: $83,358
  • Per month: $6,946

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Dubuque metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Dubuque

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel physical therapist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Physical Therapist roles in Iowa

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Dubuque as they open.

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Physical Therapist

Select Medical · State Center, IA

$73k–$100k/ year
  • OTHER
  • Req 382974
View role

All Physical Therapist jobs in Iowa

Hospitals in Dubuque

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of physical therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Finley Hospital
Dubuque, IA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center
Dubuque, IA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Physical Therapist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Cedar Rapids, IA62 mi$41.21/hr137,904
Davenport, IA65 mi$47.82/hr100,938
Iowa City, IA72 mi$40.81/hr76,710
Madison, WI76 mi$48.81/hr285,300
Waterloo, IA84 mi$40.87/hr67,477
Rockford, IL86 mi$48.51/hr147,486

Physical Therapist jobs in Iowa · Physical Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Iowa

DPT degree. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Iowa state guide

Other healthcare roles in Dubuque

Dubuque city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do physical therapists make in Dubuque, IA?

Physical Therapists in the Dubuque metro area have a median pay of $46.31 per hour, about $96,320 a year. The middle half earn between $38.74 and $49.75 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Dubuque a good place for physical therapists once cost of living is counted?

Dubuque ranks 87th of 338 metro areas for physical therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 271st of 375 before adjusting. Overall prices run 13% below the U.S. average.

Where do physical therapists work in Dubuque?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque, led by Finley Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Iowa license to work in Dubuque as a physical therapist?

DPT degree. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Dubuque?

The federal per diem benchmark in Dubuque is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place physical therapists in Dubuque?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Dubuque and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Dubuque.

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What do employers near Dubuque pay physical therapists? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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    What they are offering now

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · PT near Dubuque, IA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your PT pay reportDubuque, IA · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • UnityPoint at HomeCedar Rapids, IA · 1 wage offer$52.98/ hr$53–$53
  • Select MedicalState Center, IA · 2 postings$44.55/ hr$35–$55
  • UnityPoint At HomeFort Dodge, IA · 1 wage offer$40.66/ hr$41–$41
  • Grandison Management, Inc.Iowa · 7 wage offers$32.09/ hr$32–$32

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$32Median$32.09High$34

10 employer-reported wage offers for PT in federal filings in Iowa, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 2 PT roles

  1. Physical Therapist - PRNPer diem
    $40.00–$55.00/ hour
    Select Medical · State Center, IA · posted 30+ days ago
  2. Physical TherapistPermanent
    $73k–$100k/ year
    Select Medical · State Center, IA · posted 30+ days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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