Physical Therapist Salary in Park Ridge, IL: $99,062 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Park Ridge, IL earns a median $99,062/year (≈ $47.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Park Ridge's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $102,021 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Park Ridge, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for physical therapists is $99,062 in 2026, which reflects a competitive but slightly lower range compared to national figures ($105,288). Local estimates indicate a salary spectrum from $79,690 at the 10th percentile to $127,253 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlighting an evolving cash-pay trend that tends to elevate top-end salaries, especially among specialists in outpatient sports and orthopedic settings. This dynamic leaves physical therapy professionals in Park Ridge with opportunities for higher earnings, particularly in a market that emphasizes quality and outcomes.
About the Park Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,816 | $41.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,062 | $47.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,286 | $53.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,253 | $61.18 |
Median Salary Position
5.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Park Ridge
In Park Ridge, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,563 (2026 est.). At $99,062, the local median is 5.91% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Park Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Park Ridge Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Park Ridge median: $99,062/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Park Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $102,975 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.91% less |
Physical Therapists in Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $99,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $102,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Park Ridge 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.
Park Ridge, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,062 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,021 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,152
2025 BLS Actual
$96,684
2026 Current Est.
$99,062
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,152 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,966 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,942 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,814 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,684 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,062 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,499 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Park Ridge metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,152 (2019) to $96,684 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,499 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,347 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Park Ridge 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) | $79,690 – $85,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,816 – $99,062 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,062 – $112,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,286 – $127,253 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Park Ridge
With only seven physical therapists currently employed in Park Ridge, the local job market presents both challenges and opportunities. The cost of living index of 97.1 suggests that while expenses are slightly below the national average, real purchasing power can be affected. High-paying opportunities can typically be found at outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico, which, despite offering lower base salaries compared to hospitals, often include productivity bonuses. Variability in compensation stems from factors such as expected productivity rates, the potential for stipends linked to board certifications like the OCS or SCS, and the choice between cash-pay versus insurance models. For professionals in the area, maximizing pay can be strategically approached by seeking specialized certifications and understanding the implications of clinic ownership, which can yield substantial equity and financial benefits in this evolving practice environment.
More salary data for Park Ridge, 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 $96,684 for physical therapistsin the Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge 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