Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Galesburg, IL: $30.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Galesburg, IL runs $30.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,856 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Galesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,719 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, Illinois, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $30.22, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77 per hour. This figure is particularly relevant for part-time workers, who might typically find themselves in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. For those working three days a week, this hourly pay translates into a stable income while allowing for a more flexible schedule. The hourly earnings of physical therapist assistants in Galesburg range from $22.02 for entry-level positions to as high as $38.93 for experienced professionals. These estimates are derived from projected annual salary data for 2026 and highlight the potential earnings across various work settings in the area.
About the Galesburg 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) | $22.02 | $176.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.80 | $214.42 |
| Median (P50) | $30.22 | $241.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.72 | $277.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.93 | $311.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galesburg
Based on $30.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.22/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galesburg, IL can expect to earn approximately $62,864 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,268. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,208.93 | $5,239 | $62,864 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $725.36 | $3,143 | $37,719 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.57 | $2,095 | $25,146 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Galesburg) | $30.22 |
| 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 Galesburg, IL earn a median of $62,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.52% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $66,234.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.22/hr = $37,719/year (purchasing power: $38,845).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,864/year (purchasing power: $64,742).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Galesburg grew 16.3% from $25.29/hr (2019) to $29.42/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.05/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 Galesburg 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 Galesburg
Part-time physical therapist assistants in Galesburg can expect to take home a significantly different income compared to their full-time counterparts. For someone working approximately 24 hours a week, the annual earnings would be around $37,000, which reflects the benefits of a flexible schedule but may seem modest next to full-time earnings. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Galesburg generally ranges between $32 and $48 per hour, catering to a variety of settings, including travel contracts that can offer weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800. However, the recent 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA services has pushed many skilled nursing facilities to adjust their pay scales, often opting for lower rates. Hourly wages can vary significantly across employer types in Galesburg. Outpatient clinics might offer more competitive compensation than hospitals or home health agencies, and some PT assistants weigh the trade-offs of accepting lower hourly pay for the added benefit of health insurance. Negotiating an hourly rate based on experience and setting can yield better compensation, especially for those skilled in specialized areas like pediatrics or rehabilitation services.
More salary data for Galesburg, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Galesburg in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Galesburg?
Are physical therapist assistants in Galesburg paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Galesburg?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Galesburg?
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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
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 Galesburg. 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 Galesburg 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