Physical Therapist Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $101,390 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $101,390/year (≈ $48.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $104,418 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Arlington Heights, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $101,390, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. With a salary range spanning from $79,570 at the 10th percentile to $134,839 at the 90th percentile, there are substantial earnings variations among professionals in the area. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, reflect the employment landscape, which is influenced by the structural choice between outpatient chains, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Generally, employment in outpatient settings tends to offer lower base salaries compared to hospitals but may include productivity bonuses that can enhance overall compensation.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,846 | $41.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,390 | $48.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,894 | $58.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,839 | $64.83 |
Median Salary Position
3.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,269 (2026 est.). At $101,390, the local median is 3.7% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $101,390/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,039 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.70% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,390 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,418 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,129
2025 BLS Actual
$98,956
2026 Current Est.
$101,390
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,129 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,641 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,103 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,019 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,734 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,956 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,390 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,885 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,129 (2019) to $98,956 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,885 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,756 (20.62%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $79,570 – $86,846 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,846 – $101,390 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,390 – $120,894 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,894 – $134,839 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Arlington Heights
Focusing on the local market dynamics, Arlington Heights has 18 physical therapists currently employed, drawing attention to the community's specialized needs in rehabilitation and therapy. The cost of living index sits at 97.1, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, residents experience a relatively affordable living environment, preserving take-home purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, like Athletico and ATI, are significant players, often providing competitive hourly rates, but productivity expectations are typically higher, as therapists may be tasked with meeting rigorous visit quotas. With the ongoing trends toward cash-pay practices and the necessity for board certifications like OCS or SCS to enhance earning potential, physical therapists in Arlington Heights should strategize on professional development and consider varied employment models to maximize their physical therapist pay in Arlington Heights, IL.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,956 for physical therapistsin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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