Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Elmhurst, IL: $62,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Elmhurst, IL earns a median $62,682/year (≈ $30.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Elmhurst's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,554 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $62,682 in 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Elmhurst highlights a competitive pay scale despite being approximately 10.77% lower than the national median of $70,247. These earnings come within a salary range that spans from $45,385 at the lower 10th percentile to $78,203 at the upper 90th percentile. These insights are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. As the demand for physical therapist assistants grows, particularly in settings like outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities, Elmhurst appears to have a consistent need for skilled PTA professionals, making it a stable market for those seeking employment in this field.
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,385 | $21.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,392 | $26.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,682 | $30.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,461 | $33.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,203 | $37.60 |
Median Salary Position
10.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,818 (2026 est.). At $62,682, the local median is 10.77% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Elmhurst: You'd be above the median
How Elmhurst Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Elmhurst median: $62,682/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmhurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,260 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.77% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $62,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $66,260.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmhurst 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.
Elmhurst, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,682 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,554 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,459
2025 BLS Actual
$61,016
2026 Current Est.
$62,682
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,459 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,333 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,179 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,706 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,016 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,393 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmhurst metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,459 (2019) to $61,016 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,393 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,934 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmhurst 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) | $45,385 – $55,392 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,392 – $62,682 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,682 – $70,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,461 – $78,203 |
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 Elmhurst
The local job market in Elmhurst features nine physical therapist assistants currently employed, reflecting a modest but stable demand in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, salaries may stretch slightly further in Elmhurst compared to other locales. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab often provide some of the highest salaries, contrasting with skilled nursing facilities that may offer lower pay levels due to the CMS 15% cut to Medicare Part B reimbursements for PTA services. Factors such as productivity expectations, work setting, and supervisory demands influence the pay scale, with physical therapist assistants urged to seek outpatient roles or pursue additional certifications to enhance their value. This focus on maximizing potential earnings is particularly important in a transitioning healthcare environment like Elmhurst, where conditions can shift the financial landscape for PTAs.
More salary data for Elmhurst, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Elmhurst, IL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Elmhurst?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Elmhurst?
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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 $61,016 for physical therapist assistantsin the Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst 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