Physical Therapist Salary in Merrillville, IN: $96,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Merrillville, IN earns a median $96,747/year (≈ $46.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Merrillville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $105,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Merrillville, Indiana, 2026 estimates suggest that the median annual pay for physical therapists reaches $96,747. This figure positions local salaries approximately 8.11% lower than the national average of $105,288 for the same year. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $74,547 at the 10th percentile to $123,603 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential influenced by factors like the type of practice. For instance, therapists working in outpatient settings may encounter different compensation dynamics compared to those employed in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The local market shows a particular emphasis on outpatient care, which often integrates productivity bonuses but may also reflect tighter margins stemming from recent reimbursement cuts.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,547 | $35.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,387 | $39.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,747 | $46.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,174 | $54.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,603 | $59.43 |
Median Salary Position
8.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merrillville
In Merrillville, IN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,056 (2026 est.). At $96,747, the local median is 8.11% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merrillville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merrillville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Merrillville median: $96,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merrillville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $100,883 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -8.11% less |
Physical Therapists in Merrillville, IN earn a median of $96,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.11% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $100,883.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merrillville has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merrillville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $96,747 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,966 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,185
2025 BLS Actual
$94,424
2026 Current Est.
$96,747
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,185 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,863 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,793 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,621 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,573 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,424 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merrillville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,185 (2019) to $94,424 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,942 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merrillville 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) | $74,547 – $81,387 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,387 – $96,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,747 – $113,174 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,174 – $123,603 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Merrillville
The job market for physical therapists in Merrillville is relatively small, with only eight professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 91.3, suggesting that the local economic conditions can enhance the purchasing power of physical therapist salaries compared to higher-cost regions. Among various employment options, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly well-known chains like Athletico and ATI, tend to offer competitive pay, but the highest salaries are often found in hospital settings. The difference between the lower and upper ends of the pay spectrum can be attributed to several factors, including productivity expectations, board certifications like the OCS or SCS, and practice models, whether they focus on cash-pay or insurance. For those looking to optimize their earnings in Merrillville, strategies such as pursuing specialty certifications, targeting high-paying employers, and understanding local market dynamics can significantly impact financial outcomes.
More salary data for Merrillville, 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 $94,424 for physical therapistsin the Merrillville 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
Salary data for Merrillville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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