Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Northbrook, IL: $31.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Northbrook, IL runs $31.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,356 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Northbrook's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,219 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Northbrook, Illinois, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $31.43, slightly below the national median of $33.77. This pay rate offers a viable income for part-time workers who may opt for a three-day workweek, equating to around $1,005 for a typical 24-hour schedule. Locations where PTAs often find employment, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health environments, and pediatric therapy centers, provide various opportunities that can also allow for per-diem work. The hourly compensation can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $22.28 and experienced professionals earning up to $39.73. Such a range emphasizes the diverse earning potential within this field, which reflects both experience and specialization in settings across Northbrook.
About the Northbrook 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) | $22.28 | $178.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.45 | $219.60 |
| Median (P50) | $31.43 | $251.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.71 | $285.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.73 | $317.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Northbrook
Based on $31.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.43/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Northbrook, IL can expect to earn approximately $65,364 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,710. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Northbrook.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Northbrook
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,257.00 | $5,447 | $65,364 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.20 | $3,268 | $39,219 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.80 | $2,179 | $26,146 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Northbrook) | $31.43 |
| 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 Northbrook, IL earn a median of $65,356 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.96% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $66,284.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.43/hr = $39,219/year (purchasing power: $40,390).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,364/year (purchasing power: $67,316).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Northbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Northbrook grew 16.3% from $26.30/hr (2019) to $30.59/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.28/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 Northbrook 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 Northbrook
Examining part-time earning capabilities, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours weekly in Northbrook could anticipate an annual income of about $52,726. In contrast, full-time roles, with the potential for overtime, can offer greater financial rewards. For PTAs interested in flexible work, per-diem or agency assignments are common, typically yielding pay around $32 to $48 per hour, with travel contracts generating weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800. However, placement in skilled nursing facilities may result in lowered rates due to the 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursements implemented in 2022. Employer types significantly affect hourly rates; outpatient orthopedic clinics and specialized facilities often provide competitive salaries compared to home health agencies and schools. Many physical therapist assistants face the choice between lower hourly pay with benefits versus higher outright hourly earnings with fewer perks, weighing the trade-offs carefully. Effective negotiation strategies in Northbrook can involve highlighting unique skills and experience while understanding the local job market’s demand for PTAs, ensuring a proactive approach in discussions for potential roles.
More salary data for Northbrook, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Northbrook. 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 Northbrook 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