Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Decatur, IL: $66,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Decatur, IL earns a median $66,990/year (≈ $32.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $75,762 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary reflects recent market changes, particularly due to the impact of the 15% Medicare cut that took effect in 2022. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $66,990, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247. Salaries in Decatur span a range from $41,390 at the 10th percentile to $102,124 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability in compensation for various roles and settings, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data. With employment opportunities for about 40 physical therapist assistants in the area, the local job market is somewhat competitive, especially as outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities navigate reimbursement pressures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,758 | $27.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,439 | $32.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,124 | $49.09 |
Median Salary Position
4.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,734 (2026 est.). At $66,990, the local median is 4.64% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Decatur median: $66,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,261 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.64% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Decatur, IL earn a median of $66,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.64% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.10% above the Illinois state average of $66,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,990 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,762 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$53,110
2025 BLS Actual
$65,210
2026 Current Est.
$66,990
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,999 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,344 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,109 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,996 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,819 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 22.8% from $53,110 (2019) to $65,210 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,819 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,709 (29.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $41,390 – $56,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,758 – $66,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,990 – $68,439 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,439 – $102,124 |
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 Decatur
The local job market's dynamics play a crucial role in determining physical therapist assistant pay in Decatur IL. With a cost-of-living index of 88.422, the purchasing power for PTAs is more favorable compared to many urban areas. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies typically offer higher pay than skilled nursing facilities, where financial pressures from the Medicare cuts have significantly impacted salaries. This pay disparity can be attributed to factors such as the setting, patient volume requirements, and supervision needs. To maximize earning potential, PTAs in Decatur might consider specializing in high-demand areas or exploring opportunities in outpatient settings, where productivity expectations can lead to bonuses and higher hourly rates. Engaging in continuing education and PTA-to-DPT bridge programs could also open doors to advancement and increased wages in this evolving market.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Decatur, IL in 2026?
Is Decatur, IL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Decatur?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Decatur?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Decatur?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $65,210 for physical therapist assistantsin the Decatur 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, 3-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