Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $48.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in South Bend, IN runs $48.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,687 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,406 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For physical therapists working in South Bend, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay is $48.40, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $50.62. This figure is significant for those considering part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week in various settings like outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, and home health services. The hourly range for physical therapists in South Bend spans from $38.45 for entry-level positions to $61.20 for top earners, providing a clear pathway for advancement. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlights how competitive the pay can be, especially in a city where healthcare services continuously evolve.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.45 | $307.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.49 | $331.89 |
| Median (P50) | $48.40 | $387.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.42 | $435.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.20 | $489.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $48.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.40/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $100,676 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,083. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,936.08 | $8,390 | $100,676 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,161.65 | $5,034 | $60,406 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $774.43 | $3,356 | $40,271 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (South Bend) | $48.40 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in South Bend, IN earn a median of $100,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.37% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.20% below the Indiana state average of $100,889.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.40/hr = $60,406/year (purchasing power: $65,052).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,676/year (purchasing power: $108,420).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in South Bend grew 16.3% from $40.62/hr (2019) to $47.24/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in South Bend
The earning potential for part-time physical therapists in South Bend can be substantial, especially when considering a 3-day workweek accumulates about 24 hours. Such a schedule could yield approximately $57,267 annually, a significant contrast to typical full-time earnings. Per diem physical therapist pay in South Bend can range from $50 to $75 per hour, depending on the setting. Additionally, travel PT contracts are often lucrative, offering weekly earnings of $1,800 to $2,800, including stipends. Hourly rates can vary considerably depending on the employer, with private outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offering lower pay compared to hospital systems, yet sometimes rewarding with productivity bonuses. Factors like benefits versus higher hourly rates can influence job choices for physical therapists. Therefore, when negotiating rates in South Bend, it’s crucial to consider the total compensation package, balancing immediate financial needs with long-term career goals.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in South Bend in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in South Bend?
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in South Bend. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov