Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Chicago, IL: $42,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Chicago, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $42,736 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Chicago's local price level (BEA RPP 103.6 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,253 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($74,202) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapist assistant field in Chicago can expect starting salaries around $42,736, which positions them at the lower end of the spectrum compared to the city’s median annual salary of $74,202. This gap suggests that while entry-level roles offer opportunities, they may not reflect the full earning potential available with experience. Over the course of the first few years, earnings are likely to increase significantly, with the potential to reach $63,621 at the 25th percentile as they gain skills and experience. The strong market presence of physical therapist assistants in Chicago indicates it can be a favorable environment for new graduates, particularly with continued demand for rehabilitation services.
Career Earnings Timeline in Chicago
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 Chicago
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Chicago, IL typically start between $42,736 and $63,621 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $42,407 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $74,202 — 5.63% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Illinois of $22,000 represents just 51.48% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($42,736/year) in Chicago. 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 Chicago
- 1Research the Chicago market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $42,736 to $63,621, 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 IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Chicago, 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 Chicago for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Chicago's moderate 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 Chicago is $42,407 ( 99.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $42,736, experienced hygienists can earn up to $85,143.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,960
2025 BLS Actual
$41,600
2026 Current Est.
$42,736
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,902 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Chicago, IL grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,960 in 2019 to $41,600 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,902. New graduates entering the Chicago job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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 Chicago
Looking at the job market, outpatient clinics are the primary employers of fresh graduates in the Chicago area, followed by skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which although facing reimbursement challenges since the 15% Medicare cut, still seek to hire new talent. Obtaining essential credentials, such as a CAPTE-accredited associate's degree, passing the NPTAE national exam, and acquiring a state PTA license is crucial to improving starting pay in Illinois. Those who pursue advanced proficiency credentials through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) may also enhance their marketability. As new PTAs start their careers under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, they should focus on gaining a variety of experiences in information-rich settings to build their practice knowledge. In the first three years, reasonable salary growth could align with the broader industry projection of a 2.73% increase annually, given the right professional development steps.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Chicago in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Chicago?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Chicago?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Chicago?
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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 Chicago. 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