Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Naperville, IL: $36.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Naperville, IL runs $36.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,976 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Naperville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,988 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Naperville, Illinois, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly pay of $36.05, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This competitive rate is advantageous for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, who can expect to earn a significant income while balancing professional and personal obligations. The hourly pay ranges from $23.95 for entry-level positions up to $49.78 for highly experienced practitioners. These figures are crucial for physical therapist assistants working in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health environments, hospital inpatient units, and pediatric therapy spaces, providing them with the flexibility of both standard and per-diem work.
About the Naperville 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) | $23.95 | $191.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.43 | $243.43 |
| Median (P50) | $36.05 | $288.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.94 | $327.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.78 | $398.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Naperville
Based on $36.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.05/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Naperville, IL can expect to earn approximately $74,980 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,258. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Naperville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Naperville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,441.92 | $6,248 | $74,980 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $865.15 | $3,749 | $44,988 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $576.77 | $2,499 | $29,992 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Naperville) | $36.05 |
| 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 Naperville, IL earn a median of $74,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.73% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 13.20% above the Illinois state average of $66,234.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.05/hr = $44,988/year (purchasing power: $46,331).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,980/year (purchasing power: $77,219).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Naperville grew 16.3% from $30.17/hr (2019) to $35.09/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.03/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 Naperville 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 Naperville
Analyzing part-time earnings, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week can bring home approximately $44,670 annually, a substantial sum that offers a viable living in Naperville. The dynamics of per diem physical therapist assistant pay in the area indicate that while standard rates typically range from $32 to $48 per hour, contracts for travel positions can yield even higher weekly incomes, between $1,200 and $1,800. However, PTAs working in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) might see a decline in agency premium pay recently attributed to the 15% Medicare cut enacted in 2022, which has caused many practices to tighten their budgets. Employers, including outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital rehab units, often offer varying pay rates influenced by the specific reimbursement structures and demand. Additionally, physical therapist assistants must weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against job security and health insurance options when considering their career paths. Negotiating effectively for better terms is essential, especially in a competitive market like Naperville, IL.
More salary data for Naperville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Naperville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Naperville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Naperville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Naperville?
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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 Naperville. 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 Naperville 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