Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in East Chicago, IN: $61,523 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in East Chicago, IN earns a median $61,523/year (≈ $29.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in East Chicago's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $67,386 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Chicago, Indiana, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in 2026 is estimated at $61,523 annually, which reflects a decline when compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in the area varies significantly, from $44,733 at the 10th percentile to $79,154 at the 90th percentile. This fluctuation illustrates the discrepancies within the local job market, particularly influenced by changes following Medicare's 15% reimbursement cut. Such cuts have pushed some physical therapist assistants toward outpatient settings, while others face challenges in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), impacting their wage potential. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the current local economic climate and cost of living adjustments in East Chicago.
About the East Chicago Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,733 | $21.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,506 | $26.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,523 | $29.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,619 | $33.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,154 | $38.05 |
Median Salary Position
12.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Chicago
In East Chicago, IN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,421 (2026 est.). At $61,523, the local median is 12.42% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Chicago Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
East Chicago median: $61,523/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $63,754 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.42% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in East Chicago, IN earn a median of $61,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.42% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.50% below the Indiana state average of $63,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Chicago 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.
East Chicago, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,523 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,386 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,489
2025 BLS Actual
$59,888
2026 Current Est.
$61,523
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in East Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,489 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,347 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,582 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,975 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,122 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,651 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,523 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,203 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Chicago metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,489 (2019) to $59,888 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,203 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,714 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Chicago 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) | $44,733 – $54,506 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,506 – $61,523 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,523 – $70,619 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,619 – $79,154 |
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 East Chicago
Currently, there are only five physical therapist assistants employed in East Chicago, which indicates a relatively small job market for this profession. The cost-of-living index stands at 91.3, suggesting that living expenses in the area are lower than the national average, which allows a more substantial portion of salary to contribute to purchasing power. Among the various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest compensation, while positions in skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies may lag due to the impact of the Medicare cuts. Factors affecting the salary spread include productivity expectations, supervision requirements, and the demand for weekend or PRN shifts. To maximize earnings, aspiring physical therapist assistants may consider focusing on outpatient roles, pursuing additional certifications, or seeking positions in high-paying clinic chains that prioritize patient care in a competitive market like East Chicago IN.
More salary data for East Chicago, 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 $59,888 for physical therapist assistantsin the East Chicago 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 East Chicago 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