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Physical Therapist Assistant in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Indiana employs 2,830 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $65,280 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $65,280 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,410
Experienced (75th percentile): $76,280
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,060
Employed in Indiana: 2,830
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Indiana markets:

Indianapolis: $69,050 (1,040 employed)
Terre Haute: $66,760 (50 employed)
South Bend: $66,300 (110 employed)
Fort Wayne: $62,360 (230 employed)
Evansville: $61,860 (150 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,280 median stretches to roughly $69,968 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +22.1%, about in line with the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 370 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Indiana Physical Therapy Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program at Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana State University, or University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne).
Pass the NPTE-PTA through FSBPT.
Apply to the Indiana Physical Therapy Committee (IPLA) for licensure. Renew every two years. IU Health outpatient clinics, Ascension, Franciscan Health, SNFs, and sports medicine clinics are major PTA employers.

Official requirements: Indiana Physical Therapy Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) →

Training in Indiana

Ivy Tech's statewide community college network offers accessible PTA programs across Indiana. Indianapolis's large and growing suburban population, combined with an aging Baby Boomer demographic, drives consistent outpatient ortho and SNF PTA demand. Indiana PTA wages are slightly below the national median but the low cost of living makes real compensation competitive.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global — Associate
Ivy Tech Community College — Associate
Purdue University Global — Associate
Ross Medical Education Center-Fort Wayne — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Indiana

Real Indiana outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Indiana Physical Therapy Inc — Angola
Select Physical Therapy — Avon
Indiana Physical Therapy Inc — Bluffton
Chesterton Physical Therapy, Inc — Chesterton
Select Physical Therapy — Columbus
Select Rehabilitaton LLC — Columbus

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Indiana?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Indiana is $65,280 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,410, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,060. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Indiana?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Indiana Physical Therapy Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program at Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana State University, or University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne).

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Indiana?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Indiana metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Indianapolis leads at $69,050, followed by Terre Haute ($66,760), South Bend ($66,300). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global, Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University Global. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +22.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 370 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana Physical Therapy Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Indiana wages · Indiana licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.