Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Aurora, IL: $31.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Aurora, IL runs $31.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,433 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Aurora's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,257 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Illinois, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $31.46 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This pay structure is particularly relevant for those considering part-time roles or per-diem work, which is common in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and hospital rehabilitation settings. The hourly wage range for physical therapist assistants spans from $21.78 to $41.43 depending on experience and specialization, offering opportunities for entry-level therapists to establish a solid income while experienced professionals can reach higher compensation in specialized roles, such as pediatric therapy or management in rehab centers. These hourly rates are estimates derived from the annual salary data, reflecting the dynamics of the job market within the local healthcare landscape.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.78 | $174.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.52 | $212.20 |
| Median (P50) | $31.46 | $251.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.36 | $290.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.43 | $331.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aurora
Based on $31.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.46/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aurora, IL can expect to earn approximately $65,428 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,747. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aurora.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aurora
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,258.24 | $5,452 | $65,428 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.94 | $3,271 | $39,257 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.29 | $2,181 | $26,171 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Aurora) | $31.46 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Aurora, IL earn a median of $65,433 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.85% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.20% below the Illinois state average of $66,228.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.46/hr = $39,257/year (purchasing power: $40,429).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,428/year (purchasing power: $67,382).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Aurora grew 16.3% from $26.33/hr (2019) to $30.62/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.31/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Aurora
Focusing on part-time earnings, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate nets approximately $39,076 annually, which is fairly attractive given the flexibility it offers. For those in per-diem roles, the pay can fluctuate, typically ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, while travel contracts can command $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, agency rates in skilled nursing facilities may have declined following the Medicare cuts affecting PTA reimbursements. Variations in hourly pay also exist across different employer types in Aurora; outpatient orthopedic clinics might offer different rates compared to skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies. Many PTAs weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates with health insurance against higher rates without benefits. For those looking to maximize their pay, negotiating based on relevant experience and specific skill sets while being aware of market trends can lead to better compensation outcomes in this evolving field.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Aurora in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Aurora?
Are physical therapist assistants in Aurora paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Aurora?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Aurora?
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Aurora. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aurora 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