Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in St. Charles, IL: $65,315 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in St. Charles, IL earns a median $65,315/year (≈ $31.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $67,266 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in St. Charles is projected at $65,315, reflecting a modest decrease compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range demonstrates the variability within this profession, spanning from $46,318 at the bottom (P10) to $80,181 at the top (P90). These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences. Following recent Medicare cuts, particularly the 15% reduction in reimbursement for PTA services, the job market in St. Charles has navigated a structural shift, impacting the compensation landscape and resulting in greater income disparity, especially in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) compared to outpatient settings.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,318 | $22.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,000 | $27.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,315 | $31.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,822 | $35.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,181 | $38.54 |
Median Salary Position
7.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,863 (2026 est.). At $65,315, the local median is 7.02% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be above the median
How St. Charles Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $65,315/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,242 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.02% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Charles, IL earn a median of $65,315 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.02% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $66,242.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles 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.
St. Charles, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,315 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,266 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,662
2025 BLS Actual
$63,579
2026 Current Est.
$65,315
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,662 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,574 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,885 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,363 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,213 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,579 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,315 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,098 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,662 (2019) to $63,579 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,098 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,436 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $46,318 – $57,000 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,000 – $65,315 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,315 – $72,822 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,822 – $80,181 |
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 St. Charles
Despite the projected earnings being a bit lower than national averages, the local market remains relatively stable, with seven physical therapist assistants employed in St. Charles. The area's cost of living index stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, suggesting that while salaries may appear modest, the purchasing power for physical therapist assistants can be favorable in this context. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the most competitive wages, especially as more rehabilitation moves away from SNFs due to the reimbursement challenges. Factors influencing the pay range include the workplace setting, productivity expectations, and the demand for weekend shifts. To maximize earning potential, aspiring PTAs in St. Charles can focus on positions in high-paying outpatient clinics, seek roles that offer supervisory opportunities, or consider additional certifications that might enhance their value in this evolving market.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 $63,579 for physical therapist assistantsin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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