Physical Therapist Salary in Buffalo Grove, IL: $101,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Buffalo Grove, IL earns a median $101,150/year (≈ $48.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Buffalo Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $104,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, physical therapist salary projections for 2026 present a competitive outlook, with a median annual salary of $101,150. This figure is slightly below the national median of $105,288, suggesting that local opportunities, while solid, may reflect the structural choices of outpatient clinics compared to hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. The overall salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $81,703 at the 10th percentile to $133,780 at the 90th percentile, marking a notable variance in compensation. Data derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for regional price changes, indicates that Buffalo Grove's market reflects local demand and provider supply, where upward mobility might be influenced by chosen practice settings and productivity demands.
About the Buffalo Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,703 | $39.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,950 | $42.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,044 | $55.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,780 | $64.31 |
Median Salary Position
3.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo Grove
In Buffalo Grove, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,077 (2026 est.). At $101,150, the local median is 3.93% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Grove Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Buffalo Grove median: $101,150/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,004 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.93% less |
Physical Therapists in Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $101,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.93% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $103,004.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo Grove 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.
Buffalo Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,150 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,171 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,925
2025 BLS Actual
$98,721
2026 Current Est.
$101,150
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,925 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,433 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,862 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,879 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,791 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,515 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,721 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $85,925 (2019) to $98,721 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,713 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo Grove 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) | $81,703 – $87,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,950 – $101,150 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,150 – $115,044 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,044 – $133,780 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Buffalo Grove
The job market in Buffalo Grove features seven employed physical therapists, hinting at a small but specialized local workforce. The cost of living index in the area stands at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries are moderate, the purchasing power can still be favorable for practitioners. Outpatient practices such as Athletico or ATI may offer salaries that lean toward the lower end of the spectrum compared to hospital systems, which often provide better compensation along with benefits for their rehab departments. Factors that contribute to the pay discrepancy in this market include expectations around productivity, with many facilities pushing for a high number of patient visits daily, as well as potential stipends for specialized board certifications like OCS or SCS. Aspiring physical therapists looking to maximize their pay in Buffalo Grove may consider focusing on cash-pay models or seeking positions in high-demand settings, thereby enhancing their earning potential and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $98,721 for physical therapistsin the Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove 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