Physical Therapist Salary in South Bend, IN: $100,687 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in South Bend, IN earns a median $100,687/year (≈ $48.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $108,431 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In South Bend, Indiana, the average physical therapist salary is projected to reach $100,687 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape despite being slightly lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range for the role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $79,991 and highly experienced professionals earning up to $127,286. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcases how productivity expectations within therapy settings influence hourly wage structures, with physical therapists expected to maintain a balance of effective patient visits throughout the day. Understanding these figures is crucial for aspiring physical therapists aiming to thrive in South Bend's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,991 | $38.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,282 | $41.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,687 | $48.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,198 | $54.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,286 | $61.20 |
Median Salary Position
4.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,295 (2026 est.). At $100,687, the local median is 4.37% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Bend Physical Therapist Pay Compares
South Bend median: $100,687/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $100,889 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.37% less |
Physical Therapists in South Bend, IN earn a median of $100,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.37% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.20% below the Indiana state average of $100,889.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.858 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,687 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,431 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,500
2025 BLS Actual
$98,270
2026 Current Est.
$100,687
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,687 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 16.3% from $84,500 (2019) to $98,270 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,664 (22.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Bend 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) | $79,991 – $86,282 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,282 – $100,687 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,687 – $113,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,198 – $127,286 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in South Bend
The job market for physical therapists in South Bend currently employs around 200 professionals, providing a solid foundation for those entering or advancing in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 92.858, take-home purchasing power remains favorable, making the local salary more attractive in comparison to national standards. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains like Athletico and ATI, may offer competitive pay but often base compensation partially on productivity bonuses. In contrast, hospital systems tend to provide higher base salaries, driving the significant salary spread across the market. To maximize earnings, physical therapists should consider pursuing board certifications such as the OCS or SCS, which can lead to higher pay, as well as explore options for cash-pay practices that circumvent insurance reimbursements. Awareness of these strategies will play an integral part in successfully navigating the physical therapist pay landscape in South Bend, IN.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in South Bend, IN in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in South Bend?
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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 $98,270 for physical therapistsin the South Bend 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