Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Gurnee, IL: $65,299 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Gurnee, IL earns a median $65,299/year (≈ $31.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $67,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Gurnee, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $65,299, reflecting the area's specific economic conditions and productivity expectations. This figure positions Gurnee slightly below the national median of $70,247, indicating an average pay gap of approximately 7.04% for local professionals. The salary range for these positions spans from $46,281 at the lower end (P10) to $80,294 at the higher end (P90), giving a comprehensive view of the earning potential within the region. Local estimates derive from 2025 BLS data adjusted according to regional cost factors, and with the cost of living index standing at 97.1, job seekers should also consider how these salaries interface with local economic realities in Gurnee’s job market.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,281 | $22.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,967 | $27.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,299 | $31.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,688 | $34.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,294 | $38.61 |
Median Salary Position
7.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,013 (2026 est.). At $65,299, the local median is 7.04% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be above the median
How Gurnee Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $65,299/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,294 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.04% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $65,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.04% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $66,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,299 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,649
2025 BLS Actual
$63,564
2026 Current Est.
$65,299
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,649 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,871 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,349 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,567 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,199 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,564 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,299 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,649 (2019) to $63,564 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,433 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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) | $46,281 – $56,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,967 – $65,299 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,299 – $72,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,688 – $80,294 |
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 Gurnee
With eight physical therapist assistants currently employed in the Gurnee area, the job market presents modest but stable opportunities for new and existing professionals. The cost of living, being slightly below the national average, means that even with a lower median salary, purchasing power may remain reasonable. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide the highest salaries, emphasizing the importance of clinical settings in determining pay. Factors contributing to the spread between lower and higher salaries involve productivity expectations, the specific work environment, and the impact of Medicare's 15% reimbursement cut on outpatient and skilled nursing facilities. For those looking to elevate their earning potential, gaining experience in outpatient settings, pursuing continued education pathways like the PTA-to-DPT transition, and being flexible with work hours can be effective strategies to enhance overall physical therapist assistant pay in Gurnee, IL.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Gurnee, IL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Gurnee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Gurnee?
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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 $63,564 for physical therapist assistantsin the Gurnee 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 Gurnee 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