Physical Therapist Salary in Bloomington, IN: $105,278 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Bloomington, IN earns a median $105,278/year (≈ $50.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $110,721 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Bloomington, Indiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $105,278, which aligns closely with the national median of $105,288, reflecting the city's competitive healthcare landscape. Those at the lower end of the pay spectrum are expected to make about $80,493, while top earners can reach as high as $124,335. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights a stable employment environment for physical therapists, supported by the trend toward cash-pay models in outpatient orthopedic settings, which can significantly boost top-end salaries. As the market evolves, those who specialize in areas like sports therapy may find lucrative opportunities, given the increasing demand for specialized care in Bloomington.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,493 | $38.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,321 | $42.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,278 | $50.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,161 | $52.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,335 | $59.78 |
Median Salary Position
0.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,842 (2026 est.). At $105,278, the local median is 0.01% below the national median of $105,288.
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How Bloomington Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $105,278/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $100,841 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.01% less |
Physical Therapists in Bloomington, IN earn a median of $105,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.01% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.40% above the Indiana state average of $100,841.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 4.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.084 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $105,278 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,721 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,080
2025 BLS Actual
$102,750
2026 Current Est.
$105,278
2019–2027 Growth
+18.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,278 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,867 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 12.8% from $91,080 (2019) to $102,750 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,867 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,787 (18.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,493 – $88,321 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,321 – $105,278 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,278 – $109,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,161 – $124,335 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Bloomington
Analyzing the local job market, there are approximately 130 physical therapists currently employed in Bloomington, making for a competitive setting. With a cost-of-living index at 95.084, the purchasing power of therapists remains strong relative to many parts of the country. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains like Athletico, typically offer competitive compensation packages, though hospital systems might provide higher salaries alongside benefits. The variation in pay among physical therapists often arises from productivity expectations, which can include the number of units billed per visit or per day, as well as specialty certifications like OCS or SCS. To maximize physical therapist pay in Bloomington, professionals should consider pursuing board certifications, seeking positions within high-demand clinics, and exploring opportunities in cash-pay environments, which can provide substantial financial advantages over traditional insurance models.
More salary data for Bloomington, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $102,750 for physical therapistsin the Bloomington metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 2.46%, 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