Physical Therapist Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $106,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $106,323/year (≈ $51.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $111,105 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Indianapolis, the projected median annual physical therapist salary in 2026 is $106,323, surpassing the national median of $105,288. The earnings for physical therapists in the region vary significantly, with a salary range from $79,704 at the 10th percentile to $127,829 at the 90th percentile. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, reflects a market influenced by high productivity expectations. Given the increasing demand for services and the pressure to meet visit metrics, the compensation for professionals in this field is substantially tied to their ability to efficiently manage patient loads while delivering high-quality care. This competitive salary environment indicates a robust job market for physical therapists in Indianapolis.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,704 | $38.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,960 | $40.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,323 | $51.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,407 | $57.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,829 | $61.46 |
Median Salary Position
0.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,125 (2026 est.). At $106,323, the local median is 0.98% above the national median of $105,288.
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How Indianapolis Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $106,323/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $100,875 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.98% more |
Physical Therapists in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $106,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.98% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 5.40% above the Indiana state average of $100,875.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $106,323 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,105 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,600
2025 BLS Actual
$103,770
2026 Current Est.
$106,323
2019–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,938 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 18.5% from $87,600 (2019) to $103,770 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,938 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,338 (24.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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) | $79,704 – $84,960 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,960 – $106,323 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,323 – $119,407 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,407 – $127,829 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Indianapolis
The local market employs approximately 2,790 physical therapists, a figure underscoring the profession's vitality within the Indianapolis area. With a cost-of-living index of 95.696, practitioners might find their effective purchasing power bolstered despite the rising costs in certain sectors. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often lead in compensation, but variations exist based on factors like board certifications (such as OCS or SCS), reimbursement models, and clinic ownership stakes. The disparity between lower and higher physical therapist pay in Indianapolis is driven by productivity metrics, the type of employer, and whether the practice operates on a cash-pay or insurance model. To maximize earnings, therapists should consider pursuing clinical specialties, working in environments with productivity bonuses, or exploring travel PT placements, which tend to offer premium pay rates in response to fluctuating demand.
More salary data for Indianapolis, 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 $103,770 for physical therapistsin the Indianapolis 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