Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Valparaiso, IN: $62,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Valparaiso, IN earns a median $62,857/year (≈ $30.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Valparaiso's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $68,847 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Valparaiso, Indiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,857. This figure reflects the impact of changes in the healthcare landscape, particularly following the 15% Medicare cut, which affected earnings in service settings like skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient clinics. With a salary range extending from $44,384 at the 10th percentile to $77,408 at the 90th percentile, these local estimates, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reveal important insights about earning potential. As the job market adjusts to recent policy shifts, it's crucial for current and prospective physical therapist assistants to understand the implications for their livelihoods in Valparaiso.
About the Valparaiso Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,384 | $21.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,910 | $26.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,857 | $30.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,041 | $33.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,408 | $37.22 |
Median Salary Position
10.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Valparaiso
In Valparaiso, IN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,024 (2026 est.). At $62,857, the local median is 10.52% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Valparaiso: You'd be above the median
How Valparaiso Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Valparaiso median: $62,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Valparaiso Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $63,750 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.52% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Valparaiso, IN earn a median of $62,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.52% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the Indiana state average of $63,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Valparaiso 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.
Valparaiso, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,857 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,847 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,606
2025 BLS Actual
$61,187
2026 Current Est.
$62,857
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Valparaiso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,606 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,744 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,167 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,339 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,837 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,573 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Valparaiso metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,606 (2019) to $61,187 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,967 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Valparaiso 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) | $44,384 – $54,910 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,910 – $62,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,857 – $70,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,041 – $77,408 |
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 Valparaiso
Though only nine physical therapist assistants are currently employed in Valparaiso, the local job market remains stable primarily due to a cost-of-living index of 91.3, which indicates that earnings stretch further than in many regions. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the most competitive salaries, alongside home health agencies and hospital inpatient rehab programs. The disparity in pay between settings can often be attributed to factors such as productivity expectations and restrictions imposed by Medicare. Thus, PTAs working in high-demand environments or those willing to take on weekend shifts or PRN roles might find themselves benefiting from higher hourly rates. To maximize earning potential, aspiring PTAs should consider opportunities within outpatient clinics while also familiarizing themselves with the intricacies of reimbursement changes and the role they play in shaping PTA compensation in Valparaiso.
More salary data for Valparaiso, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Valparaiso, IN in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Valparaiso?
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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 $61,187 for physical therapist assistantsin the Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso 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