Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Elmhurst, IL: $30.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Elmhurst, IL runs $30.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,682 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Elmhurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,603 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elmhurst, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant stands at $30.13, which falls below the national median of $33.77. This discrepancy may shape the earning potential for part-time and per-diem workers in various healthcare environments, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. For those working three days a week, averaging about 24 hours, the compensation can provide a meaningful income, though it may limit opportunities to build substantial retirement savings without full-time hours. The hourly pay range for physical therapist assistants in the area runs from $21.82 for entry-level positions to $37.60 for top earners. These figures, derived from the overall annual salary data, reflect the economic conditions and hiring practices in Elmhurst's healthcare landscape.
About the Elmhurst 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) | $21.82 | $174.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.63 | $213.02 |
| Median (P50) | $30.13 | $241.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.88 | $271.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.60 | $300.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmhurst
Based on $30.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.13/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmhurst, IL can expect to earn approximately $62,672 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,157. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmhurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmhurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,205.23 | $5,223 | $62,672 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.14 | $3,134 | $37,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.09 | $2,089 | $25,069 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Elmhurst) | $30.13 |
| 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 Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $62,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $66,260.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.13/hr = $37,603/year (purchasing power: $38,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,672/year (purchasing power: $64,544).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Elmhurst grew 16.3% from $25.22/hr (2019) to $29.33/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.95/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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst
Evaluating the earning potential of part-time physical therapist assistants reveals that those working a consistent three-day schedule can secure a manageable annual income, though less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem positions are appealing as they tend to offer higher hourly rates—often ranging from $32 to $48—yet this pay can fluctuate based on the client or employer type. For instance, travel contracts frequently yield between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, enhancing income significantly for those willing to take on short-term commitments. However, the decline in skilled nursing facility pay after the 2022 Medicare cut may push PTAs to seek roles in outpatient orthopedic clinics or pediatric therapy spaces where reimbursement is more favorable. Many physical therapist assistants in Elmhurst face a trade-off between wage and benefits; accepting lower hourly rates may come with health insurance, while higher pay at different employers may lack similar perks. Negotiation skills remain essential, and understanding local labor market dynamics helps in securing favorable terms of employment.
More salary data for Elmhurst, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Elmhurst in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Elmhurst?
Are physical therapist assistants in Elmhurst paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Elmhurst?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Elmhurst?
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 Elmhurst. 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 Elmhurst 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