Physical Therapist Salary in Elkhart, IN: $103,372 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Elkhart, IN earns a median $103,372/year (≈ $49.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Elkhart's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $114,445 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elkhart, Indiana, physical therapists can expect a 2026 median annual salary of $103,372, which reflects the local market dynamics and productivity expectations in outpatient settings. The salary range for physical therapists in this region spans from $82,501 at the 10th percentile to $126,384 at the 90th percentile. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, these figures indicate that Elkhart's salary is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The pressures of productivity, including visits per day, influence effective hourly compensation, shaping the market for physical therapist pay in Elkhart, IN.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,501 | $39.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,482 | $41.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,372 | $49.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,106 | $56.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,384 | $60.77 |
Median Salary Position
1.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elkhart
In Elkhart, IN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,883 (2026 est.). At $103,372, the local median is 1.82% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elkhart: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elkhart Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Elkhart median: $103,372/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elkhart Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $100,851 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.82% less |
Physical Therapists in Elkhart, IN earn a median of $103,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.82% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.50% above the Indiana state average of $100,851.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elkhart has a cost of living 9.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elkhart, IN has a cost-of-living index of 90.325 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,372 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,445 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,040
2025 BLS Actual
$100,890
2026 Current Est.
$103,372
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,372 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elkhart metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 15.9% from $87,040 (2019) to $100,890 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,875 (21.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elkhart 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,501 – $85,482 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,482 – $103,372 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,372 – $118,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,106 – $126,384 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Elkhart
Employment in the area includes about 80 physical therapists, a number that contributes to the relatively stable job market. With a cost of living index of 90.325, the purchasing power for local physical therapists is better than many urban markets, although it still poses challenges. Notably, outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those operated by chains like ATI and Athletico, can vary in pay due to productivity requirements and bonus structures. Conversely, settings like hospital rehabilitation departments generally offer better salaries, particularly for board-certified specialists such as those with OCS or SCS designations. Factors such as clinic ownership equity and the choice between insurance models and cash-pay systems can also create a significant spread in earnings. To maximize pay in Elkhart, therapists should consider seeking additional certifications and exploring opportunities that leverage their expertise in high-demand areas.
More salary data for Elkhart, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Elkhart, IN in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Elkhart?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $100,890 for physical therapistsin the Elkhart metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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