Physical Therapist Pay

Peoria vs Woodridge: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Peoria, IL and Woodridge, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Peoria, IL
$101,292
$48.70/hr
Woodridge, IL
$101,229
$48.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeoria, ILWoodridge, IL
Median Salary$101,292$101,229
Hourly Rate$48.70$48.67
Entry Level (P10)$80,329$76,598
25th Percentile$100,001$84,201
75th Percentile$120,227$115,231
Top Earner (P90)$138,751$124,224
Total Employed3009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peoria ($101,292) and Woodridge ($101,229) physical therapist salaries.PeoriaWoodridgeMedian Salary$101,292$101,229Entry Level (P10)$80,329$76,598Top Earner (P90)$138,751$124,224US Median $105,288

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodridge.

The salary gap between Peoria and Woodridge is $63 (0.06%). Peoria's median is -3.80% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peoria spans $58,422,Woodridge spans $47,626. Peoria has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Peoria
P10 (Entry)$80,329
P25$100,001
Median$101,292
P75$120,227
P90 (Top)$138,751
Woodridge
P10 (Entry)$76,598
P25$84,201
Median$101,229
P75$115,231
P90 (Top)$124,224

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($111,028 effective) pays 6.50% more than Woodridge ($104,252 effective).

Peoria
Nominal: $101,292
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $111,028
Woodridge
Nominal: $101,229
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $104,252

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,292/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($138,751)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,028)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Woodridge if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Peoria grew 14.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in Woodridge over the same period.

Peoria, IL

+14.7%

$86,180 (2019) → $98,860 (2025)

Woodridge, IL

+7.9%

$91,588 (2024) → $98,799 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Peoria or Woodridge?

Peoria has a higher median physical therapist salary at $101,292/year, compared to Woodridge at $101,229/year — a difference of $63 (0.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peoria and Woodridge?

Peoria physical therapists earn $48.70/hr while Woodridge hygienists earn $48.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peoria to Woodridge as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peoria and Woodridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peoria = $111,028, Woodridge = $104,252), job availability (300 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Peoria vs Woodridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $80,329 in Peoria and $76,598 in Woodridge. The Peoria area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov