Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Oak Park, IL: $84,048 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Oak Park, IL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $84,048/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Oak Park's price premium (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $86,558 in average-cost America. The 28% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Achieving a top-tier compensation level as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in Oak Park, Illinois, is certainly within reach for experienced professionals. In 2026, the top earners in this field can expect a salary of up to $84,048, with those at the 75th percentile earning around $74,743. This presents a notable experience premium, highlighting the significant gap between the median annual salary of $65,779 and the lucrative potential available to the highest earners. Achieving such senior-level pay typically requires not just years of hands-on experience but also the pursuit of specialized skill sets and advanced certifications that can set one apart in a competitive job market.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Oak Park earn between $74,743 and $84,048 per year (2026 est.). This $40,215 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Oak Park median of $65,779 sits 6.36% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Oak Park | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $65,779 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,743 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $84,048 | $91,954 |
In Oak Park, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 27.77% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Oak Park
Advanced Certifications in Illinois
IL physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $65,779 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Oak Park employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Oak Park command premium compensation, often reaching the $74,743–$84,048 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Oak Park metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Oak Park with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Illinois who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Oak Park
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedOak Park ranks #25 of 65 Illinois cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $84,048).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Oak Park ($84,048) is 1.35% below the Illinois average P90 ($85,197).
2019 BLS Actual
$73,889
2025 BLS Actual
$81,814
2026 Current Est.
$84,048
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,379 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,277 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,902 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,192 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,852 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,048 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,342 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Oak Park saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $73,889 in 2019 to $81,814 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $86,342 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Oak Park
The landscape of senior physical therapist assistant pay in Oak Park is influenced by various factors, including specialization and the type of employing institution. PTAs focusing on areas such as orthopedic, geriatric, and sports medicine can command higher wages due to their expertise. Compensation varies significantly across settings; for instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide different pay scales compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or hospital inpatient rehabilitation. As experienced PTAs aspire to advance their careers, options like becoming a lead PTA, moving into clinic operations, or pursuing a PTA-to-DPT bridge program present viable pathways. Additionally, acquiring advanced proficiency credentials through APTA can result in enhanced earnings. However, it is crucial to consider the compensation implications of the recent 15% reduction in Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA services, which has impacted earnings especially in SNFs and outpatient environments, influencing both salary expectations and job prospects in Illinois.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Oak Park in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Oak Park?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Oak Park?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Oak Park?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Oak Park?
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $81,814 for physical therapist assistants in the Oak Park metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Park 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