How Much Does A Physical Therapist Make In Indiana?

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Every year, millions of people seek out physical therapists to help them with a wide variety of issues. From arthritis, to sports injuries, to post-operative rehabilitation, physical therapists are becoming an increasingly important part of the health care system. But how much does a physical therapist make in Indiana? This blog post will explore the average salaries for physical therapists in the Hoosier State and provide information about job outlook and educational requirements for those interested in this potentially rewarding career.

Salary Overview

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physical therapists in Indiana make an average annual salary of $86,590. That’s significantly higher than the national median physical therapist salary of $85,400. The BLS also found that the lowest 10 percent of physical therapists made an annual salary of $67,170, while the highest 10 percent earned an average of $105,400.

The salary range for physical therapists in Indiana varies somewhat depending on the geographical area and the setting. For instance, those employed in physician’s offices tend to make more than those employed in home health care services or ambulatory healthcare services. According to PayScale, the highest paying cities for physical therapists in the state are Bloomington, Indianapolis, Terre Haute and Fort Wayne, all of which pay at least $96,000 a year.

Education Requirements

In order to become a physical therapist in Indiana, individuals must hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. During their course of study, physical therapy students typically learn anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, neuroscience, kinesiology, biochemistry and other related health care subjects.

In addition to their academics, aspiring physical therapists must also complete clinical internships or residencies in physical therapy. These clinical experiences help students gain hands-on experience in patient care by working with real patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. These internship experiences also often include classes, seminars and research components.

Certification & Licensure

Once the educational and experience requirements have been successfully completed, physical therapists in Indiana must pass a national licensing exam in order to practice. Individuals must also obtain a state license issued by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. In addition, individuals must meet continuing education requirements in order to maintain their licensure.

Job Outlook

The BLS forecasted that employment of physical therapists will grow at a rate of 28 percent through 2026. This means that about 64,700 new physical therapist jobs may be created over the next decade. This rate of growth is much faster than most other occupations. As the elderly population continues to grow, the need for physical therapy services is expected to increase as well.

Experience & Supervision

Experience as a physical therapy assistant or aide is not required but may be helpful to those who are beginning their physical therapy career paths. Physical therapy assistants and aides help with a variety of tasks in the medical field such as educating patients on proper posture, providing therapeutic exercise instruction, assisting with rehabilitation therapies, and carrying out administrative tasks. Prior experience in these roles can help physical therapists gain valuable understanding of the nuances of this medical profession.

Physical therapists who are fresh out of school are usually supervised by an experienced physical therapist before they can practice independently. Having a mentor is a great way to get helpful guidance and gain some confidence before setting out on your own. Having a mentor can also help physical therapists stay up to date on current physical therapy practices and keep their licensure up to date.

Conclusion

In conclusion, physical therapists in Indiana can expect to make a competitive salary that typically hovers around $86,590 a year. This career requires specific educational qualifications, certification, and licensure, but the large projected job growth and high degree of job satisfaction make this profession a rewarding one for the right individual. Although experience is not required, aspiring physical therapists may benefit from completing an internship or working as an aide or assistant to gain experience before beginning their solo practice.