Physical Therapist Salary in Aurora, IL: $101,741 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Aurora, IL earns a median $101,741/year (≈ $48.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $104,780 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Aurora, Illinois, is projected to be $101,741, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in this area spans from $75,675 at the 10th percentile to $134,624 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and regional price differences. With growing demands for rehabilitative services, the market remains competitive, and productivity expectations drive the hourly compensation; therapists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of approximately $48.91, indicative of the pressures tied to visit quotas and the need for efficiency in client care.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,675 | $36.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,741 | $48.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,505 | $57.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,624 | $64.72 |
Median Salary Position
3.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,949 (2026 est.). At $101,741, the local median is 3.37% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Aurora median: $101,741/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,081 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.37% less |
Physical Therapists in Aurora, IL earn a median of $101,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $103,081.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora 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.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,741 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,780 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$86,427
2025 BLS Actual
$99,298
2026 Current Est.
$101,741
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,427 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,944 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,399 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,428 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,351 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,051 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,298 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,741 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,427 (2019) to $99,298 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,817 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $75,675 – $82,110 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,110 – $101,741 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,741 – $120,505 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,505 – $134,624 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Aurora
The local job market for physical therapists is firm, with 44 professionals currently employed in Aurora. The cost of living index in the area stands at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the affordability of living expenses can enhance overall purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico or ATI often provide competitive pay but frequently incorporate productivity bonuses, which can affect overall earnings. Factors such as board certification incentives, the clinic’s practice model, and whether a therapist is pursuing cash-pay versus insurance reimbursements contribute to the disparity in compensation. To enhance earning potential in Aurora, physical therapists might consider obtaining specialized certifications (like OCS or SCS), aligning with high-demand settings, and embracing productivity-driven roles while navigating the changing landscape of healthcare reimbursement.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Aurora, IL in 2026?
Is Aurora, IL a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Aurora?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Aurora?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Aurora?
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
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 $99,298 for physical therapistsin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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