Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Illinois: $71,886 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $71,886/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,033 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($72,984), Chicago ($72,230), Elgin ($71,586).

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Illinois - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Illinois physical therapist assistant salary overview (2026)

$71,886

Avg Median Salary

$34.56

Avg Hourly Rate

4,691

Metro Employed

Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Illinois is projected to be $71,886, which is approximately 2.3% higher than the national median of $70,247. The highest paying city within the state is Naperville, with a projected salary of $74,976, while Bloomington offers the lowest at $61,217. This salary gap of $13,759 can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and the demand for services in each area. Illinois has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence job opportunities and salaries. These regulations ensure a level of competency among professionals, contributing to workforce quality. Additionally, the demand for physical therapy services continues to grow, driven by an aging population and increasing awareness of physical health, reflecting Illinois' projected annual growth rate of 2.73%. With a total of 4,691 physical therapist assistants employed across the state, the job market remains stable. Cities like Chicago ($74,202), Elgin ($73,540), Springfield ($68,202), and Orland Park ($67,185) also present solid opportunities for practitioners. Overall, the outlook for physical therapist assistants in Illinois appears favorable, supported by increasing demand and competitive salaries.

Illinois Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$43,468

avg across 65 cities

Median

$71,886

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$85,197

avg across 65 cities

Overall salary range in Illinois: $36,931 (lowest entry-level) to $103,552 (highest top earner)

Illinois vs National Average

Illinois

$71,886

National Median

$70,247

Illinois physical therapist assistants earn 2.33% more than the national median (+$1,639/year difference).

Illinois Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)

Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Illinois range from $43,468 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $85,197 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $71,886. The Illinois median is $1,639 above the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $34.56/hr. Approximately 4,691 physical therapist assistants are employed across 65 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$60,768

2025 BLS Actual

$69,976

2026 Current Est.

$71,886

2019–2027 Growth

+21.5%

Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Illinois (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$60,768	Actual
2020	$62,023	Actual
2021	$61,747	Actual
2022	$66,327	Actual
2023	$68,955	Actual
2024	$66,095	Actual
2025	$69,976	Actual
2026(current)	$71,886	Estimated
2027	$73,848	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 15.2% from $60,768 (2019) to $69,976 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,848 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,080 (21.52%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois

Naperville

23 employed · $36.05/hr

$74,976

+4.30% vs avg

Chicago

3,520 employed · $35.68/hr

$74,202

+3.22% vs avg

Elgin

16 employed · $35.36/hr

$73,540

+2.30% vs avg

Springfield

70 employed · $32.79/hr

$68,202

-5.12% vs avg

Orland Park

9 employed · $32.30/hr

$67,185

-6.54% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Bloomington	$61,217	-14.84%	$29.43
Carbondale	$62,063	-13.66%	$29.84
Elmhurst	$62,682	-12.80%	$30.13
Peoria	$62,789	-12.65%	$30.19
Calumet City	$62,836	-12.59%	$30.21

Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Illinois

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Naperville	$74,976	97.1	$77,215
Decatur	$66,990	88.422	$75,762
Elgin	$73,540	97.1	$75,736
Springfield	$68,202	92.745	$73,537
Chicago	$74,202	103.595	$71,627

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$43,468	$20.90	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$71,886	$34.56	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$85,197	$40.96	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 65 Cities in Illinois

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Naperville	$74,976	$36.05	$49,811	$103,552	23
2	Chicago	$74,202	$35.68	$42,736	$85,143	3,520
3	Elgin	$73,540	$35.36	$52,169	$98,856	16
4	Springfield	$68,202	$32.79	$50,482	$100,254	70
5	Orland Park	$67,185	$32.30	$47,075	$86,275	9
6	Decatur	$66,990	$32.21	$41,390	$102,124	40
7	Bolingbrook	$66,897	$32.16	$44,175	$85,315	19
8	Kankakee	$66,733	$32.08	$59,553	$82,831	40
9	Palatine	$66,393	$31.92	$44,965	$86,075	16
10	Waukegan	$66,356	$31.90	$45,152	$90,168	18
11	Mount Prospect	$66,231	$31.85	$44,863	$85,368	13
12	Hoffman Estates	$66,015	$31.73	$44,371	$84,825	8
13	Evanston	$65,890	$31.68	$44,085	$88,428	16
14	Joliet	$65,833	$31.65	$46,206	$87,507	25
15	Rockford	$65,788	$31.63	$41,441	$80,325	90
16	Oak Park	$65,779	$31.62	$43,833	$84,048	10
17	Danville	$65,643	$31.56	$47,105	$81,236	5
18	Addison	$65,505	$31.50	$46,772	$83,271	6
19	Berwyn	$65,475	$31.48	$43,145	$83,052	12
20	Aurora	$65,433	$31.46	$45,309	$86,174	44
21	Tinley Park	$65,423	$31.46	$47,992	$87,036	8
22	Northbrook	$65,356	$31.43	$46,347	$82,625	8
23	St. Charles	$65,315	$31.40	$46,318	$80,181	7
24	Gurnee	$65,299	$31.39	$46,281	$80,294	8
25	Arlington Heights	$65,207	$31.35	$47,758	$86,321	18
26	Wheaton	$65,124	$31.31	$47,564	$86,045	14
27	Woodridge	$65,103	$31.30	$45,747	$79,507	9
28	Schaumburg	$65,071	$31.28	$47,376	$88,068	13
29	Buffalo Grove	$65,052	$31.27	$49,033	$85,653	7
30	Bartlett	$65,047	$31.27	$45,681	$79,487	9
31	Lake in the Hills	$64,805	$31.16	$45,041	$84,846	6
32	Collinsville	$64,795	$31.15	$45,085	$80,980	5
33	Skokie	$64,777	$31.15	$46,698	$84,696	12
34	Wheeling	$64,682	$31.10	$48,139	$84,443	6
35	Carpentersville	$64,610	$31.07	$48,034	$84,369	8
36	Oak Lawn	$64,567	$31.05	$46,017	$84,214	14
37	O'Fallon	$64,553	$31.03	$44,517	$84,025	6
38	Quincy	$64,302	$30.91	$43,927	$83,367	6
39	Algonquin	$64,302	$30.91	$43,656	$83,367	5
40	Carol Stream	$64,244	$30.89	$43,795	$83,184	10
41	Normal	$64,241	$30.88	$43,663	$83,152	8
42	Lombard	$64,203	$30.87	$43,699	$83,051	8
43	Cicero	$64,136	$30.84	$45,300	$82,811	21
44	Plainfield	$64,070	$30.80	$48,402	$82,620	11
45	Des Plaines	$64,058	$30.80	$45,122	$82,556	12
46	Moline	$63,911	$30.73	$45,213	$78,805	10
47	Oswego	$63,813	$30.68	$47,787	$81,793	7
48	DeKalb	$63,761	$30.65	$47,934	$83,884	9
49	Park Ridge	$63,710	$30.63	$47,812	$81,464	7
50	Hanover Park	$63,684	$30.61	$47,750	$83,635	6
51	Glenview	$63,679	$30.61	$47,738	$83,618	12
52	Romeoville	$63,422	$30.49	$47,126	$80,544	7
53	Streamwood	$63,335	$30.45	$46,920	$82,350	8
54	Downers Grove	$63,216	$30.39	$46,639	$82,126	11
55	Belleville	$63,201	$30.39	$46,603	$79,685	10
56	Champaign	$63,107	$30.34	$36,931	$80,869	80
57	Crystal Lake	$63,098	$30.34	$46,361	$81,748	9
58	Rock Island	$62,922	$30.25	$43,144	$77,732	5
59	Urbana	$62,877	$30.23	$47,717	$81,023	6
60	Galesburg	$62,856	$30.22	$45,794	$80,977	4
61	Calumet City	$62,836	$30.21	$45,746	$78,532	7
62	Peoria	$62,789	$30.19	$46,157	$83,756	160
63	Elmhurst	$62,682	$30.13	$45,385	$78,203	9
64	Carbondale	$62,063	$29.84	$48,543	$77,361	5
65	Bloomington	$61,217	$29.43	$44,862	$80,746	80

More Illinois Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Illinois cities.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Compare Cities in Illinois

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View all comparisons →

Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Illinois in 2026?

The average median physical therapist assistant salary in Illinois is $71,886/year across 65 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $61,217 in Bloomington to $74,976 in Naperville. This makes Illinois one of the higher-paying states, at 2.33% above the national median of $70,247. The state employs approximately 4,691 physical therapist assistants.

What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Illinois?

Naperville offers the highest physical therapist assistant salary in Illinois at $74,976/year ($36.05/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naperville ($74,976), Chicago ($74,202), Elgin ($73,540). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for physical therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed physical therapist assistants.

How does Illinois physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's average physical therapist assistant salary of $71,886 is 2.33% above the national median of $70,247 in 2026. The state employs approximately 4,691 physical therapist assistants across 65 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Illinois?

Entry-level physical therapist assistants (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $43,468/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $36,931 in lower-paying areas to $59,553 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 4,691 physical therapist assistants across 65 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the physical therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which Illinois city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?

When adjusted for cost of living, Naperville offers the highest purchasing power for physical therapist assistants in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $77,215 (nominal: $74,976, CoL index: 97.1). This means your dollar goes 3% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (2019–2025). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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