Physical Therapist Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $100,395 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $100,395/year (≈ $48.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $103,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Lawn, Illinois, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $100,395 in 2026, which reflects a competitive compensation landscape when compared against the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $76,810 at the 10th percentile to $131,557 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earning potential based on experience and workplace setting. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. As the demand for quality rehabilitation services continues to rise, driven by an increasing emphasis on patient well-being and recovery outcomes, Oak Lawn's physical therapy market remains promising for both established practitioners and newcomers.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,810 | $36.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,621 | $39.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,395 | $48.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,531 | $56.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,557 | $63.25 |
Median Salary Position
4.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,747 (2026 est.). At $100,395, the local median is 4.65% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $100,395/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,075 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.65% less |
Physical Therapists in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $100,395 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.65% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $103,075.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,395 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,393 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,284
2025 BLS Actual
$97,985
2026 Current Est.
$100,395
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,284 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,781 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,177 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,179 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,077 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,985 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,395 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $85,284 (2019) to $97,985 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,581 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $76,810 – $82,621 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,621 – $100,395 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,395 – $118,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,531 – $131,557 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Oak Lawn
Currently, there are 14 physical therapists actively employed in Oak Lawn, indicating a modest but stable job market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that earnings may stretch further in Oak Lawn than in locations with higher costs. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as Athletico and larger hospital systems often offer the most substantial compensation packages, although private practices may provide greater flexibility and additional bonuses based on productivity models. The disparity in pay is influenced by various factors, such as board certifications, clinic ownership equity, and whether therapists operate within cash-pay or insurance frameworks. To maximize earnings, physical therapists in Oak Lawn should focus on enhancing their productivity, obtaining relevant specializations like OCS or SCS, and considering opportunities in high-demand settings such as sports medicine clinics or home health agencies.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $97,985 for physical therapistsin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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