Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Peoria, IL: $83,756 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Peoria, IL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $83,756/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Peoria's price premium (BEA RPP 91.2, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $91,807 in average-cost America. The 33% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
For seasoned professionals in the Peoria area, the potential for a substantial salary is evident, with the top earners achieving an impressive annual figure of $83,756 by 2026. This level of compensation places Peoria's most experienced physical therapist assistants above the national average for senior positions, which stands at $70,247. The considerable gap between the median salary of $62,789 and the highest salaries indicates that those who dedicate years to advanced specialization and skill-building can significantly increase their earnings. Achieving top-tier pay often requires a combination of expertise, additional certifications, and possibly leadership roles that can further elevate their market value in the local job environment.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Peoria earn between $76,996 and $83,756 per year (2026 est.). This $37,599 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Peoria median of $62,789 sits 10.62% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Peoria | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $62,789 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,996 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $83,756 | $91,954 |
In Peoria, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 33.39% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Peoria
Advanced Certifications in Illinois
IL physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $62,789 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Peoria employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Peoria command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,996–$83,756 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Peoria 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 Peoria 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 Peoria
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedPeoria ranks #28 of 65 Illinois cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $83,756).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Peoria ($83,756) is 1.69% below the Illinois average P90 ($85,197).
2019 BLS Actual
$71,110
2025 BLS Actual
$81,530
2026 Current Est.
$83,756
2019–2027 Growth
+21.0%
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 | $71,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,756 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,042 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Peoria saw their compensation grow 14.7% from $71,110 in 2019 to $81,530 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 $86,042 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Peoria
Diving deeper into the factors that influence senior physical therapist assistant pay in IL reveals several key areas. Specializations such as orthopedic and geriatric rehabilitation typically command higher earnings, reflecting the complex demands of these clinical environments. Additionally, pay varies across employer types; for instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide better compensation than skilled nursing facilities, particularly given the recent 15% Medicare cut impacting reimbursement rates for Medicare-reliant settings. Advancement opportunities for experienced PTAs include roles such as clinic operations supervisor or regional clinical educator, which not only offer improved salaries but also the chance to influence practice standards. Holding advanced credentials from CAPTE-accredited programs and potentially pursuing the PTA-to-DPT bridge can further enhance earning potential. Recognizing these pathways, experienced physical therapist assistants in Peoria should strategically navigate their careers to maximize their senior salaries in this evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Peoria in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Peoria?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Peoria?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Peoria?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Peoria?
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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
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 $81,530 for physical therapist assistants in the Peoria 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
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