Physical Therapist Salary in Illinois: $107,567 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $107,567/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,780 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Decatur ($125,600), Springfield ($115,990), Naperville ($106,824).
In Illinois, physical therapist salaries for 2026 reflect a median of $107,568, which is 2.2% above the national median of $105,288. The range in salaries across the state varies significantly, with Decatur offering the highest average at $128,690, while Carbondale presents the lowest at $96,502. This gap of $32,188 can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban centers compared to rural areas. To practice as a physical therapist in Illinois, candidates must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing a degree from an accredited program and passing the national licensure examination. Illinois's scope of practice laws allow therapists to perform evaluations and develop treatment plans, which can further influence earnings. The job market for physical therapists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.46%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. As more healthcare services expand within urban areas like Springfield ($118,843), Naperville ($109,452), Chicago ($108,321), and Elgin ($107,355), job opportunities are likely to increase, making it essential for prospective physical therapists to consider the geographic location of their practice.
Illinois Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $72,417 (lowest entry-level) to $151,848 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois physical therapists earn 2.16% more than the national median (+$2,279/year difference).
Illinois Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Illinois range from $85,879 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $144,065 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $107,567. The Illinois median is $2,279 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $51.72/hr. Approximately 9,471 physical therapists are employed across 65 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$92,681
2025 BLS Actual
$104,985
2026 Current Est.
$107,567
2019–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,681 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,411 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,214 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,111 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,969 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,985 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,567 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 13.3% from $92,681 (2019) to $104,985 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,532 (18.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Carbondale | $96,502 |
| Elmhurst | $97,463 |
| Calumet City | $97,703 |
| Galesburg | $97,736 |
| Crystal Lake | $98,111 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | $128,690 | 88.422 | $145,541 |
| Springfield | $118,843 | 92.745 | $128,140 |
| Naperville | $109,452 | 97.1 | $112,721 |
| Rockford | $103,833 | 92.154 | $112,673 |
| Peoria | $101,292 | 91.231 | $111,028 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $85,879 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $107,567 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $144,065 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 65 Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decatur | $128,690 |
| 2 | Springfield | $118,843 |
| 3 | Naperville | $109,452 |
| 4 | Chicago | $108,321 |
| 5 | Elgin | $107,355 |
| 6 | Orland Park | $104,467 |
| 7 | Bolingbrook | $104,018 |
| 8 | Rockford | $103,833 |
| 9 | Moline | $103,661 |
| 10 | Palatine | $103,235 |
| 11 | Waukegan | $103,177 |
| 12 | Mount Prospect | $102,982 |
| 13 | Hoffman Estates | $102,648 |
| 14 | Evanston | $102,451 |
| 15 | Joliet | $102,365 |
| 16 | Oak Park | $102,280 |
| 17 | Kankakee | $102,224 |
| 18 | Danville | $102,069 |
| 19 | Rock Island | $102,055 |
| 20 | Addison | $101,852 |
| 21 | Berwyn | $101,806 |
| 22 | Aurora | $101,741 |
| 23 | Tinley Park | $101,725 |
| 24 | Northbrook | $101,621 |
| 25 | St. Charles | $101,556 |
| 26 | Gurnee | $101,533 |
| 27 | Arlington Heights | $101,390 |
| 28 | Peoria | $101,292 |
| 29 | Wheaton | $101,260 |
| 30 | Woodridge | $101,229 |
| 31 | Schaumburg | $101,178 |
| 32 | Buffalo Grove | $101,150 |
| 33 | Bartlett | $101,141 |
| 34 | Lake in the Hills | $100,765 |
| 35 | Collinsville | $100,749 |
| 36 | Skokie | $100,721 |
| 37 | Wheeling | $100,574 |
| 38 | Carpentersville | $100,461 |
| 39 | Oak Lawn | $100,395 |
| 40 | O'Fallon | $100,374 |
| 41 | Champaign | $100,247 |
| 42 | Quincy | $99,981 |
| 43 | Algonquin | $99,981 |
| 44 | Carol Stream | $99,893 |
| 45 | Normal | $99,889 |
| 46 | Urbana | $99,882 |
| 47 | Lombard | $99,830 |
| 48 | Cicero | $99,725 |
| 49 | Bloomington | $99,642 |
| 50 | Plainfield | $99,622 |
| 51 | Des Plaines | $99,603 |
| 52 | Oswego | $99,222 |
| 53 | DeKalb | $99,142 |
| 54 | Park Ridge | $99,062 |
| 55 | Hanover Park | $99,022 |
| 56 | Glenview | $99,014 |
| 57 | Romeoville | $98,615 |
| 58 | Streamwood | $98,478 |
| 59 | Downers Grove | $98,295 |
| 60 | Belleville | $98,270 |
| 61 | Crystal Lake | $98,111 |
| 62 | Galesburg | $97,736 |
| 63 | Calumet City | $97,703 |
| 64 | Elmhurst | $97,463 |
| 65 | Carbondale | $96,502 |
More Illinois Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Illinois cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Illinois?
How does Illinois physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Illinois?
How many physical therapists are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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