Physical Therapist Salary in Fort Wayne, IN: $100,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Fort Wayne, IN earns a median $100,872/year (≈ $48.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Fort Wayne's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $108,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, the physical therapist salary averages a robust $100,872 annually, a figure that falls slightly below the national average of $105,288. For aspiring physical therapists, the salary range in this region offers a spectrum from $76,025 at the low end (P10) to a commendable $136,036 at the high end (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflect a market influenced significantly by the structural choices between outpatient clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. As the healthcare landscape shifts, physical therapists in Fort Wayne must navigate varying pay structures, with implications for both job satisfaction and financial reward.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,025 | $36.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,488 | $38.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,872 | $48.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,692 | $53.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,036 | $65.40 |
Median Salary Position
4.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, IN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,011 (2026 est.). At $100,872, the local median is 4.19% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Wayne Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Fort Wayne median: $100,872/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.19% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Wayne has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Wayne, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.572 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,872 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,966 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,080
2025 BLS Actual
$98,450
2026 Current Est.
$100,872
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 15.7% from $85,080 (2019) to $98,450 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,273 (21.48%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,025 – $79,488 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,488 – $100,872 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,872 – $111,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,692 – $136,036 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Fort Wayne
The local job market boasts around 450 physical therapists, positioning Fort Wayne as a competitive environment for professionals in the field. Despite a Cost of Living Index of 92.572, which is below the national average, therapists can still achieve a favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Among the highest-paying options are hospital inpatient rehabilitation positions and outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those affiliated with major chains like ATI and Athletico. Factors affecting pay differentiation include productivity expectations, with higher earnings often linked to board certifications (like OCS and SCS) and engagement in high-demand areas like sports or pediatric therapy. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Fort Wayne IN, specializing through board certifications and gaining experience in cash-pay models could present significant earning potential and enhance career opportunities.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, 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
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 $98,450 for physical therapistsin the Fort Wayne 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