Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Oak Lawn, IL: $31.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Oak Lawn, IL runs $31.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,567 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Oak Lawn's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,744 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) in Oak Lawn, Illinois earn a median hourly rate of $31.05, slightly below the national median of $33.77. This rate can significantly impact part-time professionals and those working per diem, particularly in outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, and pediatric therapy environments. The hourly pay for PTAs in Oak Lawn ranges from $22.13 for entry-level positions to $40.49 for those at the top of their game. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, highlighting the various employment opportunities available in this field.
About the Oak Lawn 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) | $22.13 | $177.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.68 | $213.43 |
| Median (P50) | $31.05 | $248.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.77 | $286.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.49 | $323.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Lawn
Based on $31.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.05/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Lawn, IL can expect to earn approximately $64,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,254. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Lawn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Lawn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,241.80 | $5,381 | $64,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.08 | $3,229 | $38,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.72 | $2,152 | $25,829 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Oak Lawn) | $31.05 |
| 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 Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $64,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $66,290.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.05/hr = $38,744/year (purchasing power: $39,901).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,574/year (purchasing power: $66,502).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Oak Lawn grew 16.3% from $25.98/hr (2019) to $30.22/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.89/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 Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn
When considering the financial implications of a typical part-time schedule, a PTA working three days a week at 24 hours would earn approximately $38,924 annually. In contrast, full-time PTAs can anticipate a more stable income trajectory. Per-diem physical therapist assistant pay in Oak Lawn can be quite lucrative, ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, and travel contracts often promise $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, some skilled nursing facility agencies have seen a drop in pay due to the 15% Medicare cut that took effect in 2022. Hourly rates also vary significantly depending on the work environment, with outpatient orthopedic clinics traditionally offering higher pay than home health agencies or pediatric clinics. PTAs often need to weigh higher hourly pay against the absence of benefits, making employment negotiations essential. Understanding what is typical for the Oak Lawn area can empower PTAs to negotiate for better hourly pay while considering their personal and financial well-being.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Oak Lawn in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Oak Lawn?
Are physical therapist assistants in Oak Lawn paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Oak Lawn?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Oak Lawn?
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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 Oak Lawn. 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 Oak Lawn 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