Physical Therapist Salary in Kankakee, IL: $102,224 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Kankakee, IL earns a median $102,224/year (≈ $49.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Kankakee's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $106,048 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kankakee, Illinois, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $102,224 in 2026, reflecting the ongoing pressure to maintain productivity with high visits per day. The salary range for this occupation spans from $76,702 at the lower end (P10) to $132,962 at the higher end (P90). This data is derived from comprehensive surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), projecting a competitive landscape for professionals in this field. While this figure slightly trails the national median of $105,288, Kankakee's local healthcare market is influenced by its unique regional dynamics, giving physical therapists a solid earning opportunity amidst a growing job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,702 | $36.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,458 | $45.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,224 | $49.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,220 | $55.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,962 | $63.92 |
Median Salary Position
2.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kankakee
In Kankakee, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,260 (2026 est.). At $102,224, the local median is 2.91% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kankakee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kankakee Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Kankakee median: $102,224/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kankakee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,049 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.91% less |
Physical Therapists in Kankakee, IL earn a median of $102,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.91% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.80% below the Illinois state average of $103,049.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kankakee has a cost of living 3.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kankakee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 96.394 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $102,224 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,048 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,650
2025 BLS Actual
$99,770
2026 Current Est.
$102,224
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Kankakee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,224 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kankakee metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 20.7% from $82,650 (2019) to $99,770 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,089 (26.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kankakee 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) | $76,702 – $94,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,458 – $102,224 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,224 – $116,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,220 – $132,962 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Kankakee
The employment rate for physical therapists in Kankakee stands at 60, reflecting a stable local job market. Given a cost of living index of 96.394, professionals in this area enjoy a slightly lower living expense compared to national averages, allowing for greater take-home purchasing power. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico and hospital inpatient rehab facilities are typically among the highest payers; however, these facilities also have high productivity expectations that can affect earnings potential. Variability in compensation arises from several factors, including board specialization certifications like the OCS and SCS, which can attract stipends, and the differences between cash-pay versus insurance-based practice models. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Kankakee, strategies could include pursuing advanced certifications and considering clinic ownership or joining high-volume clinics that offer productivity bonuses.
More salary data for Kankakee, 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 $99,770 for physical therapistsin the Kankakee 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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