Physical Therapist Salary in Lafayette, IN: $102,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Lafayette, IN earns a median $102,778/year (≈ $49.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $110,005 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, physical therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,778 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $105,288. This figure is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and represents a salary range between $80,411 at the 10th percentile and $124,509 at the 90th percentile. Such salaries can be influenced by the increasing demand for outpatient services and the productivity expectations that many clinics impose. With a focus on visits per day, physical therapists in this area are often pressured to meet specific goals, which can significantly shape their effective hourly compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,411 | $38.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,458 | $40.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,778 | $49.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,638 | $52.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,509 | $59.86 |
Median Salary Position
2.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, IN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,098 (2026 est.). At $102,778, the local median is 2.38% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $102,778/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $100,861 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.38% less |
Physical Therapists in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $102,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.38% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.90% above the Indiana state average of $100,861.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 6.57% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $102,778 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,005 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,220
2025 BLS Actual
$100,310
2026 Current Est.
$102,778
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 16.3% from $86,220 (2019) to $100,310 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,086 (22.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $80,411 – $84,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,458 – $102,778 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,778 – $108,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,638 – $124,509 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Lafayette
The job market for physical therapists in Lafayette consists of around 180 professionals, supported by a cost-of-living index of 93.43, indicating a lower-than-average cost of living. This affordable environment allows for a better take-home purchasing power for physical therapists compared to many other regions. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico and additional hospital systems generally offer the most competitive pay. Factors such as productivity expectations, specialty board certifications like OCS or SCS, and differing practice models—whether insurance-based or cash-pay—create a substantial pay gap in the market. To maximize earnings, local therapists may benefit from seeking niche certifications and exploring opportunities in high-demand settings, which can provide higher compensation and possible bonuses based on productivity.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Lafayette, IN in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Lafayette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Lafayette?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Lafayette?
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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 $100,310 for physical therapistsin the Lafayette 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