Physical Therapist Pay

Fort Wayne vs Schererville: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Schererville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$100,872
$48.49/hr
Schererville, IN
$98,930
$47.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INSchererville, IN
Median Salary$100,872$98,930
Hourly Rate$48.49$47.56
Entry Level (P10)$76,025$74,688
25th Percentile$79,488$85,914
75th Percentile$111,692$112,492
Top Earner (P90)$136,036$130,676
Total Employed4507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($100,872) and Schererville ($98,930) physical therapist salaries.Fort WayneScherervilleMedian Salary$100,872$98,930Entry Level (P10)$76,025$74,688Top Earner (P90)$136,036$130,676US Median $105,288

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Schererville.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Schererville is $1,942 (1.96%). Fort Wayne's median is -4.19% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $60,011,Schererville spans $55,988. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$76,025
P25$79,488
Median$100,872
P75$111,692
P90 (Top)$136,036
Schererville
P10 (Entry)$74,688
P25$85,914
Median$98,930
P75$112,492
P90 (Top)$130,676

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($108,966 effective) pays 0.56% more than Schererville ($108,357 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $100,872
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $108,966
Schererville
Nominal: $98,930
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $108,357

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,872/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,036)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,966)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Schererville if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Fort Wayne grew 15.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Schererville over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+15.7%

$85,080 (2019) → $98,450 (2025)

Schererville, IN

+17.2%

$82,392 (2024) → $96,555 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Fort Wayne or Schererville?

Fort Wayne has a higher median physical therapist salary at $100,872/year, compared to Schererville at $98,930/year — a difference of $1,942 (1.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Schererville?

Fort Wayne physical therapists earn $48.49/hr while Schererville hygienists earn $47.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Schererville as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Schererville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $108,966, Schererville = $108,357), job availability (450 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Fort Wayne vs Schererville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $76,025 in Fort Wayne and $74,688 in Schererville. The Fort Wayne 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