Physical Therapist Salary in Naperville, IL: $109,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Naperville, IL earns a median $109,452/year (≈ $52.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Naperville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $112,721 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Naperville, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $109,452, slightly above the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $78,334 and the top 90% making up to $151,848 annually. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living conditions, which results in a more favorable salary environment considering Naperville's cost of living index of 97.1. With demand for physical therapy services likely rising due to an increasingly aging population, the income prospects for professionals in this field appear promising, making Naperville an attractive job market for physical therapists.
About the Naperville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,334 | $37.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,458 | $42.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,452 | $52.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,432 | $61.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,848 | $73.00 |
Median Salary Position
3.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Naperville
In Naperville, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,514 (2026 est.). At $109,452, the local median is 3.95% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Naperville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Naperville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Naperville median: $109,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Naperville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,062 | +6.20% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +3.95% more |
Physical Therapists in Naperville, IL earn a median of $109,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 6.20% above the Illinois state average of $103,062.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Naperville 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.
Naperville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $109,452 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,721 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,977
2025 BLS Actual
$106,824
2026 Current Est.
$109,452
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,977 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,609 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,402 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,653 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,131 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,824 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,144 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Naperville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $92,977 (2019) to $106,824 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,144 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,167 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Naperville 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) | $78,334 – $88,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,458 – $109,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,452 – $127,432 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,432 – $151,848 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Naperville
The job market in Naperville features 23 physical therapists competing within a relatively stable environment. Given the area's cost of living, which is slightly below the national average, practitioners need to consider how this affects their take-home pay. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital systems typically offer the most favorable compensation packages, often enhanced with productivity bonuses and incentives for specialized board certifications like OCS or SCS. The variance in pay can be attributed to productivity expectations and the pressures linked to units per visit, with cash-pay models sometimes providing better financial rewards than insurance-based practices. To maximize earning potential in Naperville, new graduates and current practitioners should focus on continual education and specialization while also negotiating contracts that align with performance metrics, thus ensuring a competitive edge in this evolving market.
More salary data for Naperville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Naperville, IL in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Naperville?
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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 $106,824 for physical therapistsin the Naperville 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 Naperville 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