PT Assistant Salary

Carpentersville vs Peoria: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Carpentersville, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carpentersville, IL
$64,610
$31.07/hr
Peoria, IL
$62,789
$30.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarpentersville, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$64,610$62,789
Hourly Rate$31.07$30.19
Entry Level (P10)$48,034$46,157
25th Percentile$58,022$54,026
75th Percentile$74,920$76,996
Top Earner (P90)$84,369$83,756
Total Employed8160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carpentersville ($64,610) and Peoria ($62,789) physical therapist assistant salaries.CarpentersvillePeoriaMedian Salary$64,610$62,789Entry Level (P10)$48,034$46,157Top Earner (P90)$84,369$83,756US Median $70,247

Verdict

Carpentersville, IL offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Carpentersville and Peoria is $1,821 (2.90%). Carpentersville's median is -8.02% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carpentersville spans $36,335,Peoria spans $37,599. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Carpentersville
P10 (Entry)$48,034
P25$58,022
Median$64,610
P75$74,920
P90 (Top)$84,369
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$46,157
P25$54,026
Median$62,789
P75$76,996
P90 (Top)$83,756

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($68,824 effective) pays 3.43% more than Carpentersville ($66,540 effective).

Carpentersville
Nominal: $64,610
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $66,540
Peoria
Nominal: $62,789
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $68,824

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carpentersville if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,610/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,369)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,824)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Carpentersville grew 2.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.7% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Carpentersville, IL

+2.2%

$61,542 (2024) → $62,893 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+7.7%

$56,760 (2019) → $61,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Carpentersville or Peoria?

Carpentersville has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $64,610/year, compared to Peoria at $62,789/year — a difference of $1,821 (2.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carpentersville and Peoria?

Carpentersville physical therapist assistants earn $31.07/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $30.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carpentersville to Peoria as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carpentersville and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carpentersville = $66,540, Peoria = $68,824), job availability (8 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Carpentersville vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $48,034 in Carpentersville and $46,157 in Peoria. The Carpentersville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov