Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Buffalo Grove, IL: $65,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Buffalo Grove, IL earns a median $65,052/year (≈ $31.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Buffalo Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $66,995 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, physical therapist assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,052 in 2026, reflecting regional adjustments and market conditions. The salary range for this profession spans from $49,033 at the 10th percentile to approximately $85,653 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diversity of compensation within the field. Local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for specific cost-of-living factors in the area. Post-Medicare cuts that affected reimbursement rates have shifted the dynamics of the job market, particularly altering the balance between employment settings like skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, which now face different productivity and salary pressures.
About the Buffalo Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,033 | $23.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,964 | $28.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,052 | $31.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,166 | $34.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,653 | $41.18 |
Median Salary Position
7.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo Grove
In Buffalo Grove, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,620 (2026 est.). At $65,052, the local median is 7.4% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Grove Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Buffalo Grove median: $65,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,244 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.40% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $65,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.40% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $66,244.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo Grove 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.
Buffalo Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,052 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,995 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,442
2025 BLS Actual
$63,323
2026 Current Est.
$65,052
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,442 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,128 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,341 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,964 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,323 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,442 (2019) to $63,323 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,386 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo Grove 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) | $49,033 – $58,964 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,964 – $65,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,052 – $72,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,166 – $85,653 |
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 Buffalo Grove
Despite the modest employment numbers—with only seven physical therapist assistants currently working in Buffalo Grove—the cost of living index of 97.1 indicates that salaries may stretch further than they would in higher-cost areas. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer competitive pay, but skilled nursing facilities often lag due to tighter budgets and the impact of Medicaid reimbursement reductions. In a market like Buffalo Grove, factors such as weekend work, supervisory responsibilities, and setting types can significantly influence compensation. Furthermore, PTAs looking to increase their pay might consider opportunities in home health or transitioning to roles requiring specialty certifications. Understanding how much do physical therapist assistants make in Buffalo Grove is vital, along with recognizing the pathways to advance within the profession, such as pursuing a bridge to a DPT program for those aiming to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, 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
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 $63,323 for physical therapist assistantsin the Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove 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