Physical Therapist Salary in Indiana: $103,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $103,989/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,898 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Indianapolis ($103,770), Carmel ($102,861), Bloomington ($102,750).
The projected average median salary for physical therapists in Indiana in 2026 is $103,989, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288, reflecting a difference of -1.2%. The highest salaries are found in Indianapolis at $106,323, whereas Munster offers the lowest at $92,799, creating a salary gap of $13,524. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for physical therapy services, cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. Indiana's licensing requirements for physical therapists involve completion of an accredited program and passing the national exam, which may contribute to a well-trained workforce. The state’s scope of practice laws allow physical therapists to perform a range of procedures, further enhancing their roles in patient care. The demand for physical therapists is expected to grow at an annual compounded rate of 2.46%, driven by the state's aging population and increased focus on rehabilitative care. With a total employment of 4,810 physical therapists across 43 metro areas, Indiana presents a stable job market. Cities such as Carmel and Bloomington also demonstrate competitive salaries, at $105,391 and $105,278 respectively, highlighting a regional variation in compensation that reflects local economic conditions and healthcare needs.
Indiana Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $72,036 (lowest entry-level) to $142,665 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana physical therapists earn 1.23% less than the national median ($-1,299/year difference).
Indiana Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Indiana range from $78,865 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $128,240 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,989. The Indiana median is $1,299 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $50.00/hr. Approximately 4,810 physical therapists are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,075
2025 BLS Actual
$101,492
2026 Current Est.
$103,989
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,075 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,574 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,804 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,352 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,378 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,492 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 16.6% from $87,075 (2019) to $101,492 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,472 (22.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Indiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Indiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Munster | $92,799 |
| Avon | $94,801 |
| Brownsburg | $95,479 |
| Shelbyville | $96,060 |
| Crown Point | $96,089 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muncie | $104,212 | 88.148 | $118,224 |
| Carmel | $105,391 | 91.3 | $115,434 |
| Elkhart | $103,372 | 90.325 | $114,445 |
| Greenwood | $104,116 | 91.3 | $114,037 |
| Kokomo | $100,769 | 89.648 | $112,405 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Indiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $78,865 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,989 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $128,240 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Indiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in Indiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $106,323 |
| 2 | Carmel | $105,391 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $105,278 |
| 4 | Muncie | $104,212 |
| 5 | Greenwood | $104,116 |
| 6 | Elkhart | $103,372 |
| 7 | Lafayette | $102,778 |
| 8 | Noblesville | $101,976 |
| 9 | Goshen | $101,912 |
| 10 | West Lafayette | $101,170 |
| 11 | Gary | $100,987 |
| 12 | Fort Wayne | $100,872 |
| 13 | Michigan City | $100,841 |
| 14 | Kokomo | $100,769 |
| 15 | South Bend | $100,687 |
| 16 | Fishers | $100,619 |
| 17 | Plainfield | $99,666 |
| 18 | Valparaiso | $99,487 |
| 19 | Mishawaka | $99,394 |
| 20 | Evansville | $99,202 |
| 21 | Westfield | $99,165 |
| 22 | Franklin | $99,150 |
| 23 | Schererville | $98,930 |
| 24 | Columbus | $98,771 |
| 25 | Anderson | $98,582 |
| 26 | Richmond | $98,147 |
| 27 | Hammond | $98,102 |
| 28 | Marion | $97,474 |
| 29 | Portage | $97,420 |
| 30 | East Chicago | $97,373 |
| 31 | New Albany | $97,357 |
| 32 | Jeffersonville | $97,169 |
| 33 | Terre Haute | $97,091 |
| 34 | Zionsville | $96,895 |
| 35 | Hobart | $96,856 |
| 36 | Merrillville | $96,747 |
| 37 | Granger | $96,715 |
| 38 | Lawrence | $96,489 |
| 39 | Crown Point | $96,089 |
| 40 | Shelbyville | $96,060 |
| 41 | Brownsburg | $95,479 |
| 42 | Avon | $94,801 |
| 43 | Munster | $92,799 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Indiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Indiana
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Indiana?
How does Indiana physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Indiana?
How many physical therapists are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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