Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Peoria, IL: $62,789 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Peoria, IL earns a median $62,789/year (≈ $30.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $68,824 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Peoria, Illinois, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $62,789, which falls approximately 10.62% below the national median of $70,247 for the same year. The salary for this role ranges from $46,157 at the 10th percentile to $83,756 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a wide earning potential that reflects the varying conditions across different healthcare settings. These figures come from a detailed analysis of the job market based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected into 2026. The landscape of physical therapy in Peoria has been impacted by changes following the Medicare cuts, particularly affecting outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which now face greater challenges in providing competitive compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,157 | $22.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,026 | $25.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,789 | $30.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,996 | $37.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,756 | $40.27 |
Median Salary Position
10.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,599 (2026 est.). At $62,789, the local median is 10.62% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Peoria median: $62,789/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,233 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.62% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Peoria, IL earn a median of $62,789 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.62% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.20% below the Illinois state average of $66,233.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 8.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 91.231 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,789 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,824 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,760
2025 BLS Actual
$61,120
2026 Current Est.
$62,789
2019–2027 Growth
+13.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,789 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,503 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 7.7% from $56,760 (2019) to $61,120 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,503 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,743 (13.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $46,157 – $54,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,026 – $62,789 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,789 – $76,996 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,996 – $83,756 |
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 Peoria
Currently, approximately 160 physical therapist assistants are employed within Peoria, contributing to a robust job market in the area. The cost of living index in Peoria stands at 91.231, which is below the national average, suggesting that salaries generally deliver more purchasing power locally compared to other regions. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains and private practices, tend to offer higher compensation than SNF settings, which have been constrained by the Medicare cuts since 2022. Pay disparities arise due to differences in work environments, productivity metrics, and the level of supervision required. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Peoria, targeting employment in higher-paying clinics and considering opportunities for weekend or PRN shifts could prove beneficial, particularly as the demand for physical therapy services continues to grow in response to an aging population.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $61,120 for physical therapist assistantsin the Peoria 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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