Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Evansville, IN: $49,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Evansville, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,259 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Evansville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,819 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,549) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field of physical therapy assistance in Evansville, Indiana, the starting physical therapist assistant salary is projected to be around $49,259 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the overall median salary of $63,549 for all physical therapist assistants in the city, illustrating the starting gap that may exist for entry-level positions. However, new graduates can anticipate significant salary growth as they gain experience, with potential earnings reaching up to $57,683 after a few years. Considering Evansville's current job market, it appears to be a favorable environment for newly minted physical therapist assistants, largely due to the steady demand within the healthcare sector, especially as the need for rehabilitation services continues to rise.
Career Earnings Timeline in Evansville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evansville
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Evansville, IN typically start between $49,259 and $57,683 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $29,802 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,549 — 9.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Indiana of $18,000 represents just 36.54% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($49,259/year) in Evansville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Evansville
- 1Research the Evansville market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $49,259 to $57,683, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in IN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Evansville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Evansville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Evansville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Evansville is $29,802 ( 60.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,259, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,061.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,760
2025 BLS Actual
$47,950
2026 Current Est.
$49,259
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Evansville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,604 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Evansville, IN grew 12.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,760 in 2019 to $47,950 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,604. New graduates entering the Evansville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evansville 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.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Evansville
In Evansville, several employers are consistently on the lookout for fresh talent in the PTA sector. Outpatient clinics tend to recruit the majority of new graduates, but skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) may also provide opportunities despite tighter reimbursement regulations due to recent Medicare cuts. In order to enhance starting pay, new PTAs should ensure they have an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, successfully pass the NPTAE national exam, and obtain their state PTA license. While the job tends to be supervised by physical therapists as per state law, understanding the impact of recent CMS cuts is crucial; these changes have compressed pay particularly in Medicare-dependent settings. First-year salaries typically reflect the challenges presented by these economic factors, yet those who continue to advance their credentials, such as earning advanced proficiency through the APTA, could see improved salary growth within the first three years of their careers.
More salary data for Evansville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Evansville in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Evansville?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Evansville?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Evansville?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Evansville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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