Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Park Ridge, IL: $47.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Park Ridge, IL runs $47.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,062 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Park Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,434 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Park Ridge, Illinois, the estimated physical therapist hourly pay is $47.62, which is slightly lower than the national median of $50.62. This hourly wage provides a reasonable income for physical therapists working part-time or in per-diem roles, particularly in clinics focused on outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings. Those in Park Ridge can expect an hourly earnings range between $38.31 at the entry level and up to $61.18 for top-tier professionals. This structured pay scale enables flexibility, allowing therapists to choose between part-time schedules, such as working three days a week, or pursuing per-diem opportunities that can yield higher hourly rates based on demand and setting.
About the Park Ridge 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) | $38.31 | $306.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.26 | $330.09 |
| Median (P50) | $47.62 | $380.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.99 | $431.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.18 | $489.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Park Ridge
Based on $47.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.62/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Park Ridge, IL can expect to earn approximately $99,057 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,148. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Park Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Park Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,904.94 | $8,255 | $99,057 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,142.96 | $4,953 | $59,434 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $761.97 | $3,302 | $39,623 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Park Ridge) | $47.62 |
| 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 Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $99,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $102,975.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.62/hr = $59,434/year (purchasing power: $61,209).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,057/year (purchasing power: $102,015).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Park Ridge grew 14.9% from $40.46/hr (2019) to $46.48/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.79/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 Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge
When considering the financial implications of differing employment models, part-time physical therapists working 24 hours a week can expect a different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem physical therapists in Park Ridge generally bill between $50 and $75 per hour, which can be lucrative depending on the volume of clients seen. Additionally, interstate travel contracts for physical therapy positions can yield even more, with weekly earnings ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, including potential stipends. The variety in pay also extends across employer types; those employed in outpatient orthopedic clinics may earn less than their counterparts in hospitals or specialized settings, where benefits offset lower hourly rates. Therapists often find themselves weighing the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates that come with job perks, such as health insurance and retirement plans. For those navigating these choices, understanding the market dynamics and negotiating effectively are essential for optimum compensation in the evolving landscape of physical therapist hourly rates in Illinois.
More salary data for Park Ridge, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Park Ridge in 2026?
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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 Park Ridge. 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 Park Ridge 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