Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Springfield, IL: $83,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Springfield, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,023 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Springfield's local price level (BEA RPP 92.7 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $89,517 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($118,843) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting salaries for newly graduated physical therapists in Springfield, Illinois, are projected to begin at around $83,023 in 2026. This figure is on the lower end of the salary range for entry-level positions, which can extend up to $151,016 for those with more experience or that are positioned in high-demand specialties. Compared to the city's median annual salary of $118,843, there's a notable gap that new graduates can expect to navigate early in their careers. Over the first few years, a significant trajectory exists, with potential growth to around $104,233 as they gain experience and build their skills. Springfield presents a viable market for new graduates, especially with the projected salary being approximately 12.87% above the national median, which may help attract talent as they begin their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Springfield
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
Entry-level physical therapists in Springfield, IL typically start between $83,023 and $104,233 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,993 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $118,843 — 12.87% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Illinois of $130,000 represents just 156.58% of the starting physical therapist pay ($83,023/year) in Springfield. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Springfield
- 1Research the Springfield market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $83,023 to $104,233, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Springfield, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Springfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Springfield's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Springfield is $67,993 ( 81.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,023, experienced hygienists can earn up to $151,016.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,910
2025 BLS Actual
$81,030
2026 Current Est.
$83,023
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,066 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Springfield, IL grew 47.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,910 in 2019 to $81,030 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $85,066. New graduates entering the Springfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Springfield
When considering employment opportunities in Springfield, new physical therapy graduates might find themselves working predominantly for outpatient orthopedic chains such as ATI, Select Medical, or Athletico, which tend to have structured productivity ramps to help early-career clinicians get established. Hospital systems in the area often provide valuable residency programs that prepare new therapists for board certification, an important credential that can enhance earning potential. Additionally, skilled nursing facility rehab firms such as Genesis and RehabCare may offer competitive starting salaries. To boost their initial pay, recent graduates should focus on obtaining their DPT from a CAPTE-accredited institution, passing the NPTE, and securing their state PT license while considering optional advanced credentials like board specialization (OCS/SCS). Realistically, within the first two to three years, salary increases can be expected as therapists navigate productivity benchmarks and the evolving healthcare landscape, where reimbursement rates and employment models play critical roles in career advancement.
More salary data for Springfield, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Springfield in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Springfield?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Springfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov