Physical Therapist Salary in Downers Grove, IL: $98,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Downers Grove, IL earns a median $98,295/year (≈ $47.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Downers Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $101,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Downers Grove, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $98,295, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The range of salaries can be significant, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $77,828 and the highest 90% reaching up to $128,281. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that while Downers Grove offers a respectable income potential, the smaller salary variation displays a competitive local market. With healthcare providers striving for efficient patient care, the pressure to maximize visits per day can impact effective hourly compensation, making it essential for therapists to navigate these dynamics adeptly within the job market.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,828 | $37.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,232 | $40.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,295 | $47.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,332 | $55.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,281 | $61.67 |
Median Salary Position
6.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,453 (2026 est.). At $98,295, the local median is 6.64% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downers Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downers Grove Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Downers Grove median: $98,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downers Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,035 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -6.64% less |
Physical Therapists in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $98,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.64% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $103,035.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downers 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.
Downers Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $98,295 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,500
2025 BLS Actual
$95,935
2026 Current Est.
$98,295
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,965 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,088 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,933 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,935 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,713 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downers Grove metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $83,500 (2019) to $95,935 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,713 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,213 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers 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) | $77,828 – $84,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,232 – $98,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,295 – $116,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,332 – $128,281 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Downers Grove
The local job market for physical therapists is relatively concentrated, with only 11 professionals currently employed in Downers Grove. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, which is below the national average, suggesting that the purchasing power from the salary may be slightly more favorable than it appears. Among the employers in the area, outpatient orthopedic clinics, including established networks like Athletico and ATI, tend to offer competitive rates, although high productivity benchmarks can influence the overall pay. Additionally, cash-pay models are becoming increasingly popular, providing another potential income avenue, while board certifications such as OCS or SCS can enhance worth and stipend opportunities. In a compact market like Downers Grove, successful strategies for maximizing compensation may include diversifying practice settings and focusing on building specialized skills to meet varied patient needs.
More salary data for Downers 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 $95,935 for physical therapistsin the Downers 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 Downers 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