Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in South Bend, IN: $68,110 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in South Bend, IN earns a median $68,110/year (≈ $32.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $73,349 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For physical therapist assistants in South Bend, Indiana, the 2026 projected median salary stands at $68,110, reflecting a slight dip compared to the national median of $70,247. The compensation range for this role varies significantly, from $43,177 at the 10th percentile to $79,862 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse earning potential within the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights how productivity expectations and patient visits per day heavily influence earnings. In South Bend, demand for qualified PTAs showcases a growing market, making knowledge of these figures essential for those entering or advancing in the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,177 | $20.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,532 | $30.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,110 | $32.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,958 | $37.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,862 | $38.39 |
Median Salary Position
3.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,685 (2026 est.). At $68,110, the local median is 3.04% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be above the median
How South Bend Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
South Bend median: $68,110/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $63,714 | +6.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -3.04% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in South Bend, IN earn a median of $68,110 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.04% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.90% above the Indiana state average of $63,714.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.858 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $68,110 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,349 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,130
2025 BLS Actual
$66,300
2026 Current Est.
$68,110
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,110 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 18.1% from $56,130 (2019) to $66,300 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,839 (24.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Bend 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) | $43,177 – $62,532 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,532 – $68,110 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,110 – $78,958 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,958 – $79,862 |
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 South Bend
The job market in South Bend currently employs approximately 110 physical therapist assistants, which indicates a stable local demand for these healthcare professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 92.858, professionals can expect their take-home pay to stretch further than in areas with averages at or above 100, enhancing overall purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay scales compared to home health agencies and school therapy programs. The variances in salary can result from factors such as workplace setting—hospitals usually yield higher compensation than outpatient practices—and the impact of Medicare's 15% service reimbursement cuts, particularly felt in outpatient and skilled nursing environments. For PTAs looking to maximize their pay in South Bend, focusing on obtaining additional certifications or exploring PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways may provide significant leverage in contract negotiations and career advancement.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in South Bend, IN in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in South Bend?
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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 $66,300 for physical therapist assistantsin the South Bend 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
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