PT Assistant Salary

Elkhart vs Evansville: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Elkhart, IN and Evansville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elkhart, IN
$65,603
$31.54/hr
Evansville, IN
$63,549
$30.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElkhart, INEvansville, IN
Median Salary$65,603$63,549
Hourly Rate$31.54$30.55
Entry Level (P10)$45,972$49,259
25th Percentile$62,809$57,683
75th Percentile$77,130$74,952
Top Earner (P90)$80,047$79,061
Total Employed50150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elkhart ($65,603) and Evansville ($63,549) physical therapist assistant salaries.ElkhartEvansvilleMedian Salary$65,603$63,549Entry Level (P10)$45,972$49,259Top Earner (P90)$80,047$79,061US Median $70,247

Verdict

Elkhart, IN offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Evansville.

The salary gap between Elkhart and Evansville is $2,054 (3.23%). Elkhart's median is -6.61% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elkhart spans $34,075,Evansville spans $29,802. Elkhart has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Elkhart
P10 (Entry)$45,972
P25$62,809
Median$65,603
P75$77,130
P90 (Top)$80,047
Evansville
P10 (Entry)$49,259
P25$57,683
Median$63,549
P75$74,952
P90 (Top)$79,061

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elkhart ($72,630 effective) pays 4.61% more than Evansville ($69,431 effective).

Elkhart
Nominal: $65,603
CoL Index: 90.325
Adjusted: $72,630
Evansville
Nominal: $63,549
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $69,431

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elkhart if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,603/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,047)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,630)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Evansville if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Elkhart grew 19.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.5% growth in Evansville over the same period.

Elkhart, IN

+19.6%

$53,390 (2019) → $63,860 (2025)

Evansville, IN

+9.5%

$56,490 (2019) → $61,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Elkhart or Evansville?

Elkhart has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $65,603/year, compared to Evansville at $63,549/year — a difference of $2,054 (3.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elkhart and Evansville?

Elkhart physical therapist assistants earn $31.54/hr while Evansville hygienists earn $30.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elkhart to Evansville as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elkhart and Evansville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elkhart = $72,630, Evansville = $69,431), job availability (50 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Elkhart vs Evansville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $45,972 in Elkhart and $49,259 in Evansville. The Evansville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov