Physical Therapist Salary in Joliet, IL: $102,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Joliet, IL earns a median $102,365/year (≈ $49.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $105,422 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Joliet, Illinois, are estimated to earn a median annual salary of $102,365, placing them slightly below the national average of $105,288 for the same year. The salary range for this profession in the area falls between $77,103 at the 10th percentile and $136,703 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect adjustments based on local cost considerations and productivity expectations prevalent among clinicians in Joliet. As physical therapy practices increasingly emphasize patient throughput, the compensation structure tends to reward therapists who can manage higher volumes of visits per day, thus making the salary dynamics in Joliet indicative of broader trends faced by professionals in the field.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,103 | $37.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,562 | $41.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,365 | $49.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,989 | $58.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,703 | $65.72 |
Median Salary Position
2.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,600 (2026 est.). At $102,365, the local median is 2.78% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Joliet median: $102,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $102,983 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.78% less |
Physical Therapists in Joliet, IL earn a median of $102,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.78% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $102,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $102,365 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,422 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,957
2025 BLS Actual
$99,907
2026 Current Est.
$102,365
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,957 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,965 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,007 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,942 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,615 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,907 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,957 (2019) to $99,907 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,926 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $77,103 – $85,562 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,562 – $102,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,365 – $121,989 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,989 – $136,703 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Joliet
With 25 physical therapists currently working in Joliet, the job market remains relatively niche, impacting local salaries. The cost of living index for Joliet stands at 97.1, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further in this region compared to larger urban centers. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly larger chains like Athletico and ATI, often set pay scales that can range widely based on productivity metrics and whether a therapist holds advanced certifications such as OCS or SCS. The variance in earnings reflects differing business models as well; while cash-pay practices may yield higher rates, traditional insurance-based models often hinge on reimbursement rates, encouragement of high patient volumes, and performance bonuses. For those aiming to optimize their physical therapist pay in Joliet, becoming board-certified, pursuing specialization, and enhancing clinical productivity can serve as key strategies to leverage salary potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Joliet?
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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 $99,907 for physical therapistsin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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