Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $64,567 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $64,567/year (≈ $31.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $66,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Oak Lawn, Illinois, stands at $64,567, positioning it below the national median of $70,247 by approximately 8.09%. Salary expectations range significantly, reflecting the diversity of healthcare settings and individual job demands, from a lower threshold of $46,017 at the 10th percentile to top-tier earnings of $84,214 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, which accounts for local market influences and regional cost adjustments. Understanding the compensation structure here is crucial for aspiring PTAs, especially as productivity expectations frequently dictate the effectiveness of compensation packages in outpatient and specialized settings across Oak Lawn.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,017 | $22.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,483 | $26.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,567 | $31.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,395 | $35.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,214 | $40.49 |
Median Salary Position
8.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,197 (2026 est.). At $64,567, the local median is 8.09% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $64,567/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,290 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.09% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $64,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $66,290.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,567 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% 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
$54,036
2025 BLS Actual
$62,851
2026 Current Est.
$64,567
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,036 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,937 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,233 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,695 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,899 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,502 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,851 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,567 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,330 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,036 (2019) to $62,851 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,330 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,294 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $46,017 – $55,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,483 – $64,567 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,567 – $74,395 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,395 – $84,214 |
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 Oak Lawn
In this local job market, 14 physical therapist assistants are currently employed, highlighting a competitive atmosphere given the lower than average cost of living index at 97.1. This index indicates that despite salaries being below the national average, the purchasing power for residents can be relatively favorable. Typically, outpatient orthopedic clinics offer the most competitive pay, particularly those associated with chains, while skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies frequently adjust wages based on reimbursement cuts such as the recent 15% Medicare decrease impacting PTA services. Factors like productivity, weekend work incentives, and differing supervisory demands contribute to the wage disparity observed across various care settings. To enhance their earning potential, those in Oak Lawn should consider focusing on specialized training, pursuing opportunities in higher-paying outpatient clinics, or enhancing productivity through continued education and experience to meet patient care demands more effectively.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Oak Lawn, IL in 2026?
Is Oak Lawn, IL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Oak Lawn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Oak Lawn?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Oak Lawn?
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 $62,851 for physical therapist assistantsin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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