Physical Therapist Salary in Galesburg, IL: $97,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Galesburg, IL earns a median $97,736/year (≈ $46.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $100,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist in 2026 is $97,736. This figure represents a slightly lower income compared to the national median of $105,288, reflecting local market conditions and potential lower demand for specialized services. Ranging from $76,482 at the 10th percentile to $126,489 at the 90th percentile, the local salary distribution suggests a solid earning potential for those entering the field and excelling. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, and highlight the impact of trends such as the increasing prominence of cash-pay orthopedic specialists in elevating potential earnings at the higher end of the spectrum. Given the area’s limited number of physical therapists, those with advanced qualifications and specialties may find opportunities to negotiate higher pay within Galesburg's healthcare market.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,482 | $36.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,086 | $39.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,736 | $46.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,024 | $55.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,489 | $60.81 |
Median Salary Position
7.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,007 (2026 est.). At $97,736, the local median is 7.17% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $97,736/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $102,988 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.17% less |
Physical Therapists in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $97,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.17% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $102,988.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg 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.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $97,736 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,655 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
$83,024
2025 BLS Actual
$95,389
2026 Current Est.
$97,736
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,024 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,482 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,761 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,711 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,558 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,427 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,389 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,140 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $83,024 (2019) to $95,389 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,140 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,116 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $76,482 – $83,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,086 – $97,736 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,736 – $115,024 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,024 – $126,489 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Galesburg
The local job market for physical therapists remains relatively small, with only four professionals currently employed in Galesburg. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power is slightly below the national average, a factor that could lead to less competitive salary norms compared to larger markets. In this environment, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly private practices or chains such as Athletico, tend to offer the highest wages, often supplemented by productivity bonuses. The variance in physical therapist pay in Galesburg IL can be attributed to several factors, including efficiency expectations, employer type, and whether the practice operates on a cash-pay model. To maximize earnings, focusing on obtaining board certifications such as OCS or SCS, optimizing patient throughput, and considering cash-based practice models may provide significant advantages in the Galesburg area.
More salary data for Galesburg, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Galesburg, IL in 2026?
Is Galesburg, IL a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Galesburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Galesburg?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Galesburg?
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 $95,389 for physical therapistsin the Galesburg 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 Galesburg 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