Physical Therapist Salary in Carol Stream, IL: $99,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Carol Stream, IL earns a median $99,893/year (≈ $48.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Carol Stream's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $102,876 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carol Stream, Illinois, the projected physical therapist salary in 2026 is positioned at $99,893, slightly lower than the national median of $105,288. This figure reflects a competitive landscape where earnings can vary significantly, with a range from $73,491 at the 10th percentile to $129,933 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data account for regional price parities, illustrating how pay structures differ among employers. The competitive market in Carol Stream increasingly leans toward outpatient settings, which typically offer lower base salaries compared to hospitals but may include performance bonuses that can bridge the earnings gap. Those looking for roles within skilled nursing facilities or hospital systems often find higher base pay, but job opportunities in outpatient orthopedic clinics remain abundant.
About the Carol Stream Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,491 | $35.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,549 | $42.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,893 | $48.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,960 | $56.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,933 | $62.47 |
Median Salary Position
5.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carol Stream
In Carol Stream, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,442 (2026 est.). At $99,893, the local median is 5.12% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carol Stream: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carol Stream Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Carol Stream median: $99,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carol Stream Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $102,983 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.12% less |
Physical Therapists in Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $99,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.12% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $102,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carol Stream 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.
Carol Stream, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,893 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,876 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,857
2025 BLS Actual
$97,495
2026 Current Est.
$99,893
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,347 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,721 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,713 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,601 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,495 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,351 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carol Stream metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,857 (2019) to $97,495 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,494 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carol Stream 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) | $73,491 – $87,549 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,549 – $99,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,893 – $117,960 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,960 – $129,933 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Carol Stream
The job market for physical therapists in Carol Stream consists of about 10 professionals currently working in the area, presenting a stable demand for qualified candidates. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, living expenses in the region are relatively manageable, which influences take-home pay and purchasing power favorably. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly larger chains like ATI and Athletico, are significant employers but may not offer the highest salaries, often focusing on productivity-based compensation models. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to various factors, including productivity expectations, board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the cash-pay versus insurance practice model. For those seeking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Carol Stream, pursuing additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, or exploring roles in travel PT may yield the most lucrative outcomes.
More salary data for Carol Stream, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Carol Stream?
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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 $97,495 for physical therapistsin the Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream 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