Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Portage, IN: $46.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Portage, IN runs $46.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,420 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Portage's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,449 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portage, Indiana, physical therapists receive a median hourly pay of $46.83, which is slightly lower than the national median of $50.62. This discrepancy emphasizes the importance for part-time and per-diem workers to carefully consider their earning potential. A physical therapist working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could expect to earn around $1,124 weekly, making this role financially feasible for those not seeking full-time commitments. Those at the entry-level phase earn around $36.62, while experienced professionals can see rates climb to as much as $60.46 per hour. Given that these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they reflect a strong potential across various work settings in the area, such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits.
About the Portage 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) | $36.62 | $292.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.80 | $318.36 |
| Median (P50) | $46.83 | $374.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.17 | $441.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.46 | $483.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portage
Based on $46.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.83/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portage, IN can expect to earn approximately $97,416 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,201. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,873.38 | $8,118 | $97,416 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,124.03 | $4,871 | $58,449 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $749.35 | $3,247 | $38,966 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Portage) | $46.83 |
| 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 Portage, IN earn a median of $97,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.47% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $100,849.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.83/hr = $58,449/year (purchasing power: $64,019).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,416/year (purchasing power: $106,698).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Portage grew 14.9% from $39.78/hr (2019) to $45.71/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.99/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 Portage 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 Portage
Examining the part-time earning potential reveals that a physical therapist working in Portage for three days a week could take home around $58,432 annually, compared to a full-time colleague who might earn significantly more. For those exploring per diem positions, the pay can vary greatly, often billing between $50 and $75 per hour, with travel contracts generating weekly earnings of $1,800 to $2,800, including stipends. Physical therapy practice models also vary; cash-pay specialists in high-cost markets may bill between $150 and $250 directly to clients. Rates also differ significantly by employer type in Portage, with chains like ATI and Athletico generally offering lower compensation compared to hospital systems, which might provide additional benefits like health insurance. Those willing to negotiate their hourly rates should be prepared to weigh the trade-offs of higher pay against benefits, and consider the local market dynamics, particularly as agencies may offer tempting incentives to attract talent in a competitive field.
More salary data for Portage, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Portage. 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 Portage 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