Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Merrillville, IN: $61,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Merrillville, IN earns a median $61,126/year (≈ $29.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Merrillville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $66,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Merrillville, Indiana, can expect a median annual salary of $61,126 in 2026, reflecting ongoing adjustments in the local healthcare landscape following significant changes to Medicare reimbursements. The salary range for this position spans from $43,799 at the 10th percentile to $77,733 at the 90th percentile, revealing a wide disparity in potential earnings based on experience and work setting. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and aligned with regional cost indices, highlight a market that has shifted towards outpatient care while feeling the impacts of the 15% Medicare cut affecting services in skilled nursing facility (SNF) settings. With employment opportunities limited to just eight physical therapist assistants currently in Merrillville, competition remains steady, shaping the future of this role in the community.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,799 | $21.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,678 | $25.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,126 | $29.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,794 | $33.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,733 | $37.37 |
Median Salary Position
12.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merrillville
In Merrillville, IN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,934 (2026 est.). At $61,126, the local median is 12.98% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merrillville: You'd be above the median
How Merrillville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Merrillville median: $61,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merrillville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $63,740 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.98% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Merrillville, IN earn a median of $61,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.98% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $63,740.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merrillville 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.
Merrillville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,126 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,951 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,157
2025 BLS Actual
$59,502
2026 Current Est.
$61,126
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,157 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,237 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,299 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,502 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,795 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merrillville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,157 (2019) to $59,502 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,795 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,638 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merrillville 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) | $43,799 – $53,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,678 – $61,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,126 – $69,794 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,794 – $77,733 |
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 Merrillville
Assessing the local job market reveals that the cost of living index in Merrillville stands at 91.3, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further for residents. Within the various healthcare settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, where the Medicare cuts have significantly pressured reimbursement rates. The variation in earnings can be attributed to factors such as workplace productivity expectations, weekend or PRN hours, and supervision requirements that directly influence financial compensation. For physical therapist assistants aiming to maximize their pay in Merrillville, seeking opportunities in high-paying outpatient settings while staying informed about bridge pathways to professional advancement, such as transitioning to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, may enhance career prospects and financial outcomes in the evolving landscape of rehabilitation services.
More salary data for Merrillville, 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 $59,502 for physical therapist assistantsin the Merrillville 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 Merrillville 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