Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Portage, IN: $61,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Portage, IN earns a median $61,552/year (≈ $29.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Portage's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $67,417 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portage, Indiana, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants is $61,552, representing a competitive option for those in the field compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this occupation spans from $44,803 at the P10 level to $79,096 at the P90 level, reflecting the varying pay scales dependent on experience, type of setting, and demand within the local market. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicating that Portage offers a slightly lower compensation than the national average. The shifts in primary care settings—particularly following Medicare cuts impacting skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)—have influenced the landscape of physical therapist assistant pay in Portage IN, emphasizing outpatient services and altering employment opportunities and salary levels.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,803 | $21.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,568 | $26.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,552 | $29.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,780 | $34.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,096 | $38.03 |
Median Salary Position
12.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, IN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,293 (2026 est.). At $61,552, the local median is 12.38% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portage Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Portage median: $61,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $63,718 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.38% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Portage, IN earn a median of $61,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.38% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $63,718.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage 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.
Portage, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,417 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,513
2025 BLS Actual
$59,916
2026 Current Est.
$61,552
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,513 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,372 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,607 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,148 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,677 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,916 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,513 (2019) to $59,916 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,719 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $44,803 – $54,568 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,568 – $61,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,552 – $70,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,780 – $79,096 |
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 Portage
Looking at the job market dynamics in Portage, only about 10 physical therapist assistants are currently employed in the area, creating a relatively small pool for potential candidates. The cost of living index stands at 91.3, which is below the national average, meaning that while salaries may be lower than their national counterparts, the purchasing power for residents can be sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab settings typically offer higher pay than skilled nursing facilities, where reimbursement cuts have reduced available funds. Factors such as productivity expectations, weekend and PRN premiums, and direct supervision requirements can significantly affect pay rates. For those in the field, securing employment with larger outpatient chains or considering ancillary roles in educational institutions may enhance earning potential, setting a pathway to maximize their remuneration in the Portage market.
More salary data for Portage, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Portage?
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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 $59,916 for physical therapist assistantsin the Portage 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 Portage 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