Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Arlington Heights, IL: $48.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Arlington Heights, IL runs $48.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,390 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Arlington Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,841 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, physical therapists earn a median hourly pay of $48.75, which is slightly below the national median of $50.62. This rate provides opportunities for part-time workers, who typically might work three days a week, resulting in a flexible schedule that can appeal to those balancing personal responsibilities or further education. Per-diem physical therapists can take advantage of varied settings, including outpatient clinic gyms, hospital inpatient rehab units, and home health visits, as they typically command pay rates that reflect their working conditions and responsibilities. The hourly range for physical therapists in Arlington Heights spans from $38.26 for entry-level positions to $64.83 for top earners, making this profession accessible for practitioners at different stages of their careers.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.26 | $306.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.75 | $334.02 |
| Median (P50) | $48.75 | $390.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.13 | $465.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.83 | $518.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington Heights
Based on $48.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.75/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington Heights, IL can expect to earn approximately $101,401 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,501. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,950.02 | $8,450 | $101,401 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,170.01 | $5,070 | $60,841 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.01 | $3,380 | $40,560 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Arlington Heights) | $48.75 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $101,390 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.70% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $103,039.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.75/hr = $60,841/year (purchasing power: $62,658).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,401/year (purchasing power: $104,429).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Arlington Heights grew 14.9% from $41.41/hr (2019) to $47.58/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.95/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Arlington Heights
When considering the potential annual earnings for part-time physical therapists, someone working 24 hours a week can realistically bring home about $61,440, significantly lower than what full-time workers may accumulate but still providing a substantial income. Per-diem and agency physical therapists often find themselves in a lucrative position, billing between $50 and $75 per hour, with travel contracts offering weekly earnings that can reach up to $2,800. The hourly rates can vary depending on the type of employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric clinics offering different pay scales. Physical therapists in Arlington Heights may choose to accept lower hourly rates for consistent health benefits or opt for the higher pay offered by private practices that do not provide such benefits. When negotiating their hourly pay, therapists should be aware of market trends, the demand for specialized services, and the potential value of offering direct-pay options to their patients, especially in competitive markets.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Arlington Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Arlington Heights?
Are physical therapists in Arlington Heights paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Arlington Heights?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Arlington Heights. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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 2.46%, 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