Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $30.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $30.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,062 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,436 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Fort Wayne, Indiana, earn a median hourly rate of $30.80, which is below the national median of $33.77. This rate indicates a decent wage for those working part-time or in per-diem roles, with opportunities available across various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and home health visits. Newer entrants to the profession can expect to earn around $21.12 per hour at the initial stages of their careers, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $37.66 per hour. The data presented is derived from the BLS, reflecting the economic landscape of 2026 in Fort Wayne.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.12 | $168.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.92 | $191.32 |
| Median (P50) | $30.80 | $246.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.79 | $294.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.66 | $301.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $30.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.80/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $64,061 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,958. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,231.94 | $5,338 | $64,061 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $739.16 | $3,203 | $38,436 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.78 | $2,135 | $25,624 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Fort Wayne) | $30.80 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $64,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.50% above the Indiana state average of $63,744.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.80/hr = $38,436/year (purchasing power: $41,521).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,061/year (purchasing power: $69,201).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Fort Wayne grew 17.4% from $25.53/hr (2019) to $29.98/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.64/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Fort Wayne
Given a typical work schedule of three days a week, a physical therapist assistant working around 24 hours per week could expect to take home approximately $38,233 annually. Many PTAs choose per-diem work, where hourly rates range from $32 to $48, allowing for flexibility and higher short-term earnings. However, it's essential to note that travel PTA contracts can pull in between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, which may entice those open to mobility. Hourly rates often vary significantly depending on the type of employer; outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies can offer different compensation levels due to fluctuating demand and healthcare reimbursement changes, such as the 15% Medicare cut. While some physical therapist assistants may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating pay, researching regional rates and emphasizing unique skills or certifications can be beneficial in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Fort Wayne in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Fort Wayne?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Fort Wayne. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov