Physical Therapist Salary in Oak Park, IL: $102,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Oak Park, IL earns a median $102,280/year (≈ $49.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $105,335 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, Illinois, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $102,280 in 2026, a figure slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range reflects the varying qualifications and experience levels in the field, spanning from $73,513 at the 10th percentile to $131,309 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, consider regional cost adjustments that affect local compensation. For physical therapists in Oak Park, meeting productivity expectations is key; the ability to manage visits per day effectively can significantly influence overall compensation.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,513 | $35.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,678 | $42.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,280 | $49.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,126 | $57.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,309 | $63.13 |
Median Salary Position
2.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,796 (2026 est.). At $102,280, the local median is 2.86% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be above the median
How Oak Park Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $102,280/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,001 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.86% less |
Physical Therapists in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $102,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.86% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $103,001.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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 Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $102,280 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,335 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,885
2025 BLS Actual
$99,824
2026 Current Est.
$102,280
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,861 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,539 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,824 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,796 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,885 (2019) to $99,824 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,796 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,911 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $73,513 – $88,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,678 – $102,280 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,280 – $119,126 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,126 – $131,309 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Oak Park
The job market in Oak Park currently employs only 10 physical therapists, indicating a relatively small workforce that may affect competition and job availability. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power for physical therapists here is slightly more favorable than the national average, allowing for comfortable living. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, including chains like Athletico and ATI, typically offer competitive pay but may come with the pressure of high productivity demands. The pay disparity in the area can be attributed to factors like the clinic's reimbursement models, whether they operate on a cash-pay vs. insurance basis, and unique earning potentials for clinicians with board certifications like OCS or SCS. To maximize earnings in this specific market, aspiring physical therapists might consider seeking employment in higher-paying settings like hospital rehabilitation or specialized clinics, while also establishing broad skill sets to increase their value in an evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Oak Park, IL in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Oak Park?
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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 $99,824 for physical therapistsin the Oak Park 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 Park 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