Physical Therapist Salary in Columbus, IN: $98,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Columbus, IN earns a median $98,771/year (≈ $47.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $106,202 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Columbus, IN, is projected to average $98,771, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. This figure reflects a salary range from $75,626 at the 10th percentile to $133,628 at the 90th percentile. Such variations highlight the market's competitive dynamics, influenced heavily by productivity expectations. The data for these projections comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. As therapists focus on increasing their visits per day, the effective hourly compensation tends to be shaped by how well they can meet these benchmarks, impacting the overall earning potential within the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,626 | $36.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,257 | $38.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,771 | $47.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,960 | $52.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,628 | $64.24 |
Median Salary Position
6.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, IN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,002 (2026 est.). At $98,771, the local median is 6.19% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $98,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $100,890 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -6.19% less |
Physical Therapists in Columbus, IN earn a median of $98,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.19% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% below the Indiana state average of $100,890.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 7.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.003 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $98,771 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,202 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,300
2025 BLS Actual
$96,400
2026 Current Est.
$98,771
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,201 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 21.6% from $79,300 (2019) to $96,400 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,901 (27.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $75,626 – $80,257 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,257 – $98,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,771 – $109,960 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,960 – $133,628 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Columbus
Currently, Columbus employs approximately 90 physical therapists, indicating a solid demand for rehabilitation services in the area despite the relatively lower cost of living index at 93.003. This index suggests that take-home purchasing power can stretch further than in higher-cost regions, which may balance the salary figures. In this market, employers like outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains like Athletico and ATI, often provide competitive compensation packages, typically enhanced by productivity bonuses. The substantial income spread reflects factors such as specialty board certifications like OCS or SCS, clinic ownership, and the decision to work in cash-pay versus insurance-based models. For therapists seeking to maximize their income in Columbus, focusing on advanced certifications, improving productivity metrics, and considering diverse employment settings could result in enhanced salary outcomes.
More salary data for Columbus, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Columbus, IN in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Columbus?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Columbus?
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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 $96,400 for physical therapistsin the Columbus 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