Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $46.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Merrillville, IN runs $46.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,747 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,053 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Merrillville, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay for a physical therapist is $46.52, slightly below the national hourly median of $50.62. For those in part-time roles, such as working three days a week, this translates to a steady income while providing the flexibility to manage personal commitments. They typically practice in varied settings like outpatient clinic gyms, hospital inpatient rehab units, and home health visits, where they earn between $35.84 at the entry level up to $59.43 for the most experienced professionals. These hourly rates, derived from annual salary data, reflect the employment landscape of physical therapists in this region and underscore the potential for diverse earnings based on experience and specialty.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.84 | $286.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.13 | $313.04 |
| Median (P50) | $46.52 | $372.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.41 | $435.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.43 | $475.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $46.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.52/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $96,755 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,820. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,860.67 | $8,063 | $96,755 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,116.40 | $4,838 | $58,053 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $744.27 | $3,225 | $38,702 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Merrillville) | $46.52 |
| 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 Merrillville, IN earn a median of $96,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.11% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $100,883.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.52/hr = $58,053/year (purchasing power: $63,585).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,755/year (purchasing power: $105,975).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Merrillville grew 14.9% from $39.52/hr (2019) to $45.40/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.66/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 Merrillville 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 Merrillville
Analyzing the potential financial outcomes for physical therapists in Merrillville reveals a key distinction between part-time and full-time compensation. A physical therapist working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $58,162 annually, compared to a full-time colleague whose annual earnings could exceed $96,747. The realm of per diem physical therapist pay in Merrillville can be lucrative, with rates often fluctuating between $50 to $75 per hour. For those open to travel contracts, earnings can reach as high as $2,800 weekly, showcasing a different fiscal reality than in permanent positions. Hourly rates vary widely based on the employer type; outpatient orthopedic clinics may provide lower pay compared to hospitals, but many therapists choose outpatient roles for predictable schedules. Prospective physical therapists must navigate the choice between higher hourly wages without benefits versus more stable positions with health insurance. When negotiating, emphasizing specialty skills or productivity capabilities can enhance earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Merrillville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Merrillville?
Are physical therapists in Merrillville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Merrillville?
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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 Merrillville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Merrillville 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