Physical Therapist Pay

Evansville vs Gary: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Evansville, IN and Gary, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evansville, IN
$99,202
$47.70/hr
Gary, IN
$100,987
$48.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvansville, INGary, IN
Median Salary$99,202$100,987
Hourly Rate$47.70$48.56
Entry Level (P10)$76,200$73,979
25th Percentile$80,872$82,545
75th Percentile$106,558$116,612
Top Earner (P90)$123,710$137,551
Total Employed34014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evansville ($99,202) and Gary ($100,987) physical therapist salaries.EvansvilleGaryMedian Salary$99,202$100,987Entry Level (P10)$76,200$73,979Top Earner (P90)$123,710$137,551US Median $105,288

Verdict

Gary, IN offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Evansville.

The salary gap between Evansville and Gary is $1,785 (1.80%). Gary's median is -4.08% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evansville spans $47,510,Gary spans $63,572. Gary has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Evansville
P10 (Entry)$76,200
P25$80,872
Median$99,202
P75$106,558
P90 (Top)$123,710
Gary
P10 (Entry)$73,979
P25$82,545
Median$100,987
P75$116,612
P90 (Top)$137,551

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gary ($110,610 effective) pays 2.05% more than Evansville ($108,384 effective).

Evansville
Nominal: $99,202
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $108,384
Gary
Nominal: $100,987
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $110,610

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evansville if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Gary if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,987/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,551)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,610)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Evansville grew 12.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Gary over the same period.

Evansville, IN

+12.1%

$86,360 (2019) → $96,820 (2025)

Gary, IN

+17.2%

$84,104 (2024) → $98,562 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Evansville or Gary?

Gary has a higher median physical therapist salary at $100,987/year, compared to Evansville at $99,202/year — a difference of $1,785 (1.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evansville and Gary?

Evansville physical therapists earn $47.70/hr while Gary hygienists earn $48.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evansville to Gary as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evansville and Gary. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evansville = $108,384, Gary = $110,610), job availability (340 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Evansville vs Gary?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $76,200 in Evansville and $73,979 in Gary. The Evansville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov