Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Oswego, IL: $63,813 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Oswego, IL earns a median $63,813/year (≈ $30.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $65,719 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Oswego, Illinois, stands at $63,813. This amount reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost of living factors. The salary range for the profession is substantial, ranging from $47,787 at the lower end to $81,793 at the upper cusp. Given the responsibilities in this field, including managing productivity expectations and efficiently handling patient visits each day, local PTAs need to assess their compensation in relation to these figures to find opportunities that align with their financial goals.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,787 | $22.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,813 | $30.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,061 | $35.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,793 | $39.33 |
Median Salary Position
9.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,006 (2026 est.). At $63,813, the local median is 9.16% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oswego Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Oswego median: $63,813/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,265 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.16% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Oswego, IL earn a median of $63,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.16% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.70% below the Illinois state average of $66,265.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego 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.
Oswego, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,813 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,719 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,405
2025 BLS Actual
$62,117
2026 Current Est.
$63,813
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,405 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,296 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,021 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,211 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,783 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,117 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,813 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,405 (2019) to $62,117 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,150 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $47,787 – $57,760 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,760 – $63,813 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,813 – $73,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,061 – $81,793 |
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 Oswego
With only seven physical therapist assistants employed locally, Oswego's job market for this profession remains competitive, making it crucial for practitioners to understand the nuances of compensation in the area. The cost of living index is currently at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries may be modest when compared nationally, purchasing power remains reasonable. Employers across different settings such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer varying pay scales, often dictated by the nature of the work and setting. For instance, outpatient settings generally offer higher compensation than skilled nursing facilities, particularly following recent Medicare cuts impacting funding. To maximize earnings, PTAs can consider diversifying their skill sets or seeking mentorship opportunities that lead to higher productivity benchmarks, which are often favored in reimbursement calculations. Additionally, leveraging weekend shifts or PRN roles can enhance take-home pay in the nuanced local job market of Oswego, IL.
More salary data for Oswego, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Oswego, IL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Oswego?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Oswego?
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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 $62,117 for physical therapist assistantsin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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