Physical Therapist Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $99,603 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $99,603/year (≈ $47.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $102,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physicians in outpatient clinics generally earn less than their hospital counterparts, a trend evident in Des Plaines, IL, where the projected median salary for physical therapists in 2026 is $99,603. Local salaries range from $75,376 at the lower end (P10) to $128,973 (P90) at the upper spectrum, showing potential for significant variation in pay based on employment settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional price differences in Illinois. As the demand for physical therapists grows, particularly in a predominantly outpatient environment, job seekers must consider these salary implications within the broader context of their chosen employment scenario.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,376 | $36.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,042 | $38.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,603 | $47.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,668 | $56.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,973 | $62.01 |
Median Salary Position
5.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,597 (2026 est.). At $99,603, the local median is 5.4% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $99,603/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,002 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.40% less |
Physical Therapists in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $99,603 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.40% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $103,002.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,603 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,611
2025 BLS Actual
$97,212
2026 Current Est.
$99,603
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,611 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,096 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,444 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,212 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,603 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,054 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,611 (2019) to $97,212 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,054 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,443 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $75,376 – $81,042 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,042 – $99,603 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,603 – $116,668 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,668 – $128,973 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, the labor market accommodates approximately 12 physical therapists, a relatively small pool that may reflect competition for higher salaries. The cost of living in the area is slightly below average, with a Cost of Living index of 97.1, which may cushion the financial impact of lower average pay compared to national figures. Among local employers, outpatient clinics like Athletico are typical, although hospital systems tend to offer higher wages, especially for those with board certifications such as OCS or SCS. The disparity in compensation relies heavily on productivity expectations that drive pay—those who adapt to high patient volumes and varied care models may reap the benefits. Given these dynamics, enhancing qualifications with certifications, considering cash-pay models, or gaining experience in travel assignments can be effective strategies for maximizing physical therapist pay in Des Plaines, IL.
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Des Plaines, IL in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Des Plaines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Des Plaines?
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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 $97,212 for physical therapistsin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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