Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Naperville, IL: $52.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Naperville, IL runs $52.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,452 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Naperville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,674 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Naperville, Illinois, physical therapists can expect a median hourly rate of $52.62, which reflects a competitive edge over the national median of $50.62 per hour. For those working part-time—such as 24 hours a week in outpatient clinics or rehabilitation settings—this pay translates to a respectable income, allowing flexibility and a better work-life balance. Per-diem physical therapists also find value in this hourly structure, as their earnings can vary significantly depending on location and job type. The hourly pay range for physical therapists in Naperville spans from $37.66 for entry-level positions to around $73.00 for highly experienced professionals, highlighting a potential for growth within the field as practitioners advance their skills and specialties. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, provide a clear picture of the competitive landscape for physical therapist hourly pay in Naperville.
About the Naperville 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) | $37.66 | $301.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.53 | $340.25 |
| Median (P50) | $52.62 | $420.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.26 | $490.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.00 | $584.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Naperville
Based on $52.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.62/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Naperville, IL can expect to earn approximately $109,457 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,148. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Naperville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Naperville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,104.94 | $9,121 | $109,457 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,262.96 | $5,473 | $65,674 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $841.98 | $3,649 | $43,783 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Naperville) | $52.62 |
| 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 Naperville, IL earn a median of $109,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 6.20% above the Illinois state average of $103,062.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.62/hr = $65,674/year (purchasing power: $67,636).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,457/year (purchasing power: $112,726).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Naperville grew 14.9% from $44.70/hr (2019) to $51.36/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.92/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 Naperville 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 Naperville
Part-time physical therapists working three days a week in Naperville may take home approximately $40,000 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, who might earn upwards of $100,000 per year. This discrepancy highlights the trade-offs that come with part-time positions, especially when considering benefits like health insurance, which may be more readily available to full-time staff. Per diem physical therapist pay in Naperville typically ranges from $50 to $75 per hour, with travel contracts offering even higher weekly earnings—often between $1,800 and $2,800, including stipends. The variation in pay largely depends on the type of facility; outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those owned by Athletico, may pay less than hospitals that offer comprehensive benefits. Cash-pay specialists are another avenue, where rates can soar to between $150 and $250 per hour, especially in high-cost-of-living markets. As practitioners negotiate rates, it often pays to weigh hourly compensation against potential benefits, considering factors such as work environment, productivity models, and insurance versus cash-pay trends within the industry in Naperville, IL.
More salary data for Naperville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Naperville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Naperville?
Are physical therapists in Naperville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Naperville?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Naperville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Naperville. 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 Naperville 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