Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lombard, IL: $43,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Lombard, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,699 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lombard's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,004 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,203) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the field as physical therapist assistants in Lombard, Illinois, can expect a starting salary around $43,699 in 2026, which is significantly below the median annual salary of $64,203 for the region. This gap underscores the initial earning potential new PTAs face as they begin their careers, but there is a clear growth path. As experience builds, entry-level professionals can realistically expect their pay to increase as they approach the 25th percentile, which is projected at $58,589 after a few years in the field. Lombard presents a solid market for new graduates, providing opportunities that could allow for upward salary movement as they gain hands-on experience and knowledge in various settings.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lombard
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 Lombard
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Lombard, IL typically start between $43,699 and $58,589 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $39,352 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,203 — 8.6% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Illinois of $22,000 represents just 50.34% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($43,699/year) in Lombard. 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 Lombard
- 1Research the Lombard market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $43,699 to $58,589, 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 Lombard, 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 Lombard for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lombard'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 Lombard is $39,352 ( 90.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,699, experienced hygienists can earn up to $83,051.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,799
2025 BLS Actual
$42,538
2026 Current Est.
$43,699
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,146 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,211 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,514 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,538 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,892 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Lombard, IL grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,799 in 2019 to $42,538 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $44,892. New graduates entering the Lombard job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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 Lombard
Several employers in Lombard actively hire new physical therapist assistant graduates, particularly outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Despite turbulent changes in Medicaid reimbursement, these facilities typically welcome fresh talent, although home health agencies prefer applicants with some practical experience, often looking for one to two years in a clinical setting. To enhance earning potential in Illinois, new PTAs should ensure they possess an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, pass the NPTAE national exam, obtain a state PTA license, and possibly engage in ongoing professional education. The recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts for PTA services, effective 2022, have created a challenging environment, especially in Medicare-dependent settings, which may slow growth for entry-level salaries. Realistic salary growth in these first three years may see new graduates transition from entry-level positions towards the upper tier of starting salaries as they become valuable assets to their employers.
More salary data for Lombard, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Lombard in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Lombard?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Lombard?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Lombard?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Illinois?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Lombard. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lombard 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