Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $48.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $48.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,521 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the physical therapist hourly pay is projected to be $48.49 in 2026, which positions it slightly below the national hourly median of $50.62. This rate offers a solid earning potential for part-time and per-diem workers who typically operate within various settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, and home health environments. With an hourly range from $36.55 to $65.40, physical therapists in this area can find opportunities in multiple sectors, catering to a spectrum of patient needs, from sports rehabilitation to pediatric therapy. These figures are derived from official BLS hourly data, reflecting the value of physical therapists as essential healthcare providers in the community.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.55 | $292.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.22 | $305.74 |
| Median (P50) | $48.49 | $387.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.70 | $429.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.40 | $523.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $48.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.49/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $100,868 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,193. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,939.77 | $8,406 | $100,868 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,163.86 | $5,043 | $60,521 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $775.91 | $3,362 | $40,347 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Fort Wayne) | $48.49 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $100,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.19% lower than the national median of $105,288.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.49/hr = $60,521/year (purchasing power: $65,377).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,868/year (purchasing power: $108,962).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Fort Wayne grew 15.7% from $40.90/hr (2019) to $47.33/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.69/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Fort Wayne
Considering the part-time earning potential, a physical therapist working three days a week, or 24 hours, would take home roughly $58,158 annually. In contrast, full-time practitioners could earn more and benefit from employer-provided health insurance, making choices around hourly pay more complex. Per diem physical therapist pay in Fort Wayne often lands between $50 and $75 per hour, with travel contracts yielding even higher weekly earnings—up to $2,800, including stipends. Additionally, the type of employer significantly impacts hourly rates; for instance, private outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer less than hospital systems but might feature bonuses tied to productivity. Therapists must weigh the trade-offs between potential earnings and benefits like health insurance. For those negotiating their rates in Fort Wayne, emphasizing specialized skills—such as certifications in sports or orthopedics—can be an effective way to secure a better pay rate while aligning with the demand for high-quality, efficient healthcare delivery.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Fort Wayne in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Fort Wayne. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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