Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $65,207 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $65,207/year (≈ $31.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $67,154 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Arlington Heights, Illinois, can expect a projected median annual salary of $65,207, which positions them somewhat lower than the national median of $70,247. The local salary range extends from $47,758 for the lowest 10% to $86,321 for the top 10%, reflecting the significant variance in compensation likely tied to the changing dynamics of the healthcare market, particularly following the Medicare cuts experienced in recent years. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors reveal a nuanced picture of compensation, influenced by a shift from skilled nursing facilities to outpatient settings as providers grapple with reimbursement changes. These factors will be essential for physical therapist assistants as they navigate their career opportunities in this suburban Chicago market.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,758 | $22.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,224 | $27.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,207 | $31.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,896 | $36.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,321 | $41.50 |
Median Salary Position
7.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,563 (2026 est.). At $65,207, the local median is 7.17% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $65,207/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,267 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.17% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $65,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.17% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $66,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,207 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,154 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,572
2025 BLS Actual
$63,474
2026 Current Est.
$65,207
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,572 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,482 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,791 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,483 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,111 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,207 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,987 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,572 (2019) to $63,474 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,415 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,758 – $58,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,224 – $65,207 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,207 – $75,896 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,896 – $86,321 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Arlington Heights
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Arlington Heights consists of approximately 18 employed professionals, indicating a unique local demand for this role. Living in Arlington Heights can afford a relatively stable purchasing power, with a cost of living index of 97.1, indicating affordability compared to the national average. Those looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Arlington Heights, IL, will find that outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the highest wages, especially as a result of patient volume and the ability to capture market share amidst the rehabilitation landscape. Factors such as work setting—where hospital roles tend to compensate more than outpatient and skilled nursing facilities—as well as productivity expectations, and the impacts of the Medicare cuts are influential in defining the pay spectrum. To enhance their take-home pay, aspiring physical therapist assistants might consider gaining specialized skills in high-demand areas or pursuing roles within settings less affected by Medicare cuts. This strategic approach could help graduates from PTA programs see greater financial returns on their education and certification.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Arlington Heights?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,474 for physical therapist assistantsin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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