Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Fishers, IN: $73,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Fishers, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,118 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fishers's local price level (BEA RPP 91.3 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,085 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,619) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fishers, Indiana, new graduate physical therapists can expect a starting salary of approximately $73,118 in 2026. This entry-level pay is substantially lower than the city median of $100,619, indicating a notable gap as new therapists begin their careers. However, the salary trajectory shows potential for growth, as new professionals can move through the pay scales from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile—around $81,800—within just a few years. Given the projected growth rate of 2.46% annually, this makes Fishers a reasonably promising market for entry-level physical therapists, especially for those prepared to build their skills and networks early on.
About the Fishers Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fishers
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fishers
Entry-level physical therapists in Fishers, IN typically start between $73,118 and $81,800 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,191 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,619 — 4.43% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Indiana of $110,000 represents just 150.44% of the starting physical therapist pay ($73,118/year) in Fishers. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Fishers
- 1Research the Fishers market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $73,118 to $81,800, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in IN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fishers, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Fishers for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fishers's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Fishers is $63,191 ( 86.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,118, experienced hygienists can earn up to $136,309.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,467
2025 BLS Actual
$71,362
2026 Current Est.
$73,118
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Fishers (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,467 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,771 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,291 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,823 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,722 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,362 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,916 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Fishers, IN grew 24.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,467 in 2019 to $71,362 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,916. New graduates entering the Fishers job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fishers 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Fishers
Employers in Fishers that are likely to hire new graduates include outpatient orthopedic chains such as ATI, Select Medical, and Athletico, which frequently provide structured productivity ramps for their early-career clinicians. Hospital systems in the area often offer residency programs, enhancing credentials and leading to board specialization opportunities that can boost potential earnings. Additionally, skilled nursing facilities like Genesis and RehabCare provide a pathway with potentially higher starting pay. To position themselves for increased starting salaries, new physical therapists should focus on obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTE national exam, and acquiring their state PT license. Though outpatient clinics may offer lower base salaries compared to hospitals, their productivity bonuses could enhance overall compensation. Early-career professionals in Fishers can expect realistic salary growth as they gain experience and refine their skills in this evolving market.
More salary data for Fishers, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Fishers in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist salaries grow in Fishers?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Fishers?
What do new physical therapists make right out of school in Fishers?
How do I become a physical therapist in Indiana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Fishers. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fishers is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov