Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Naperville, IL: $74,976 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Naperville, IL earns a median $74,976/year (≈ $36.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Naperville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $77,215 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $74,976 for physical therapist assistants in Naperville, Illinois, the compensation figures reveal a competitive edge compared to the national median of $70,247, marking an increase of 6.73%. The salary range for this profession spans from $49,811 at the 10th percentile to $103,552 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential based on experience and work setting. These estimates are derived from state-level BLS data and regional cost adjustments, reflecting the local job market's dynamics. In a city where productivity typically hinges upon patient visits per day, understanding the compensation landscape is crucial for aspiring physical therapist assistants and those already in the field.
About the Naperville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,811 | $23.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,295 | $30.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,976 | $36.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,141 | $40.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,552 | $49.78 |
Median Salary Position
6.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Naperville
In Naperville, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,741 (2026 est.). At $74,976, the local median is 6.73% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Naperville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Naperville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Naperville median: $74,976/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Naperville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,234 | +13.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +6.73% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Naperville, IL earn a median of $74,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.73% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 13.20% above the Illinois state average of $66,234.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Naperville 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.
Naperville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $74,976 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,215 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,748
2025 BLS Actual
$72,984
2026 Current Est.
$74,976
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,748 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,794 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,299 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,394 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,412 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,984 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,976 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,023 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Naperville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $62,748 (2019) to $72,984 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,275 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Naperville 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) | $49,811 – $63,295 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,295 – $74,976 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,976 – $85,141 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,141 – $103,552 |
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 Naperville
Currently, there are 23 physical therapist assistants working in Naperville, contributing to an evolving local healthcare environment. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, professionals need to consider how take-home pay correlates with everyday expenses. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, though the pay scale often varies significantly within these settings. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can be primarily attributed to factors such as productivity expectations, supervision requirements, and the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on PTA services in Medicare-dependent environments. To maximize compensation in Naperville, physical therapist assistants may consider targeting higher-paying employers, pursuing additional certifications, or negotiating shifts that include weekends or PRN roles, all of which can enhance overall income in this competitive market.
More salary data for Naperville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Naperville, IL in 2026?
Is Naperville, IL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Naperville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Naperville?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Naperville?
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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 $72,984 for physical therapist assistantsin the Naperville 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 Naperville 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