Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Carmel, IN: $70,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Carmel, IN earns a median $70,314/year (≈ $33.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Carmel's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $77,014 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.3% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median salary for a physical therapist assistant in Carmel, Indiana, stands at $70,314, slightly higher than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a resilient job market in the region. The salary range for this profession spans from $51,184 at the lower end (P10) to $92,688 for the top earners (P90), indicative of varying expectations across different settings. Estimates are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and take into consideration local economic conditions and cost of living adjustments. Since the cuts to Medicare reimbursement in 2022, the market has seen a shift, affecting pay dynamics particularly in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient settings, which has realigned the compensation structure across the board.
About the Carmel Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,184 | $24.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,547 | $30.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,314 | $33.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,604 | $39.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,688 | $44.56 |
Median Salary Position
0.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carmel
In Carmel, IN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,504 (2026 est.). At $70,314, the local median is 0.1% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carmel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carmel Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Carmel median: $70,314/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carmel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $63,748 | +10.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +0.10% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Carmel, IN earn a median of $70,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.10% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 10.30% above the Indiana state average of $63,748.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carmel 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.
Carmel, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $70,314 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,014 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,846
2025 BLS Actual
$68,445
2026 Current Est.
$70,314
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Carmel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,846 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,827 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,238 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,549 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,445 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,233 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carmel metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $58,846 (2019) to $68,445 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,233 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,387 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carmel 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,184 – $62,547 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,547 – $70,314 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,314 – $81,604 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,604 – $92,688 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Carmel
Carmel employs around 15 physical therapist assistants, a number that highlights a tight-knit community of professionals in this field. With a cost of living index of 91.3, which is below the national average, salaries here translate to a more favorable purchasing power for residents, allowing for a reasonable standard of living despite the reduced Medicare reimbursements. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospitals tend to offer the highest compensation, as they often have more lucrative service models than SNFs, whose reimbursements were cut significantly. Factors driving the pay range include setting differences, productivity expectations, and the critical demands tied to supervision requirements. To maximize earnings in Carmel, physical therapist assistants may consider seeking roles in outpatient clinics or expanding their skills to gain certification in specialized areas, which can increase pay potential while navigating the current healthcare reimbursement landscape.
More salary data for Carmel, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $68,445 for physical therapist assistantsin the Carmel metropolitan area. A 2.73% 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 Carmel 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 2.73%, 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