Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Champaign, IL: $63,107 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Champaign, IL earns a median $63,107/year (≈ $30.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Champaign's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $68,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Champaign, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $63,107, reflecting a shift in the local job market influenced by recent changes in Medicare reimbursements. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $36,931 and the highest 90% earning up to $80,869. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that the local market offers competitive earnings compared to national counterparts, despite a slight dip of 10.16% below the national median of $70,247. Notably, the structure of employment settings has transformed, as outpatient care settings adjust to the 15% Medicare cut, affecting salary dynamics in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and driving demand in other rehabilitation environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,931 | $17.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,341 | $26.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,107 | $30.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,004 | $31.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,869 | $38.88 |
Median Salary Position
10.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Champaign
In Champaign, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,938 (2026 est.). At $63,107, the local median is 10.16% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Champaign: You'd be above the median
How Champaign Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Champaign median: $63,107/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Champaign Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,289 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.16% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Champaign, IL earn a median of $63,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.16% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $66,289.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Champaign has a cost of living 7.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Champaign, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.704 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,107 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,074 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,420
2025 BLS Actual
$61,430
2026 Current Est.
$63,107
2019–2027 Growth
+2.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,962 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,107 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Champaign metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -3.1% from $63,420 (2019) to $61,430 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,410 (2.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign 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) | $36,931 – $55,341 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,341 – $63,107 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,107 – $66,004 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,004 – $80,869 |
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 Champaign
With 80 physical therapist assistants actively employed in Champaign, the local job market reflects robust opportunities despite a cost-of-living index of 92.704, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance purchasing power, allowing PTAs to stretch their earnings further in the community. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly the larger chains, tend to offer the most competitive physical therapist assistant pay in Champaign, followed by home health agencies and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services. The variance in salaries can often be traced back to setting types—hospital environments generally yield higher pay compared to outpatient clinics and SNFs, which face heightened productivity expectations in light of recent cuts. To maximize earnings, aspiring PTAs in Champaign should consider gaining experience in higher-paying settings, maintaining flexibility with hours, and exploring PTA-to-DPT bridge programs to expand career options and enhance compensation in a challenging economic environment.
More salary data for Champaign, 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 $61,430 for physical therapist assistantsin the Champaign 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). 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