Physical Therapist Salary in Peoria, IL: $101,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Peoria, IL earns a median $101,292/year (≈ $48.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $111,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Peoria, Illinois, present an appealing outlook for practitioners across various settings. The median annual salary is projected at $101,292, slightly below the national average of $105,288, which may reflect the predominance of outpatient chains, like Athletico and ATI, that tend to have tighter budgets than hospital systems or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Local therapists can expect to see salaries ranging from $80,329 at the lower end to $138,751 at the high end. These figures derive from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating that while the salary landscape in Peoria mirrors challenges from national payment reforms, there remains significant opportunity for driven practitioners to supplement their income through productivity incentives and specialized certifications.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,329 | $38.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,001 | $48.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,292 | $48.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,227 | $57.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,751 | $66.71 |
Median Salary Position
3.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,422 (2026 est.). At $101,292, the local median is 3.8% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Peoria median: $101,292/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,044 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.80% less |
Physical Therapists in Peoria, IL earn a median of $101,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $103,044.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 8.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 91.231 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,292 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,028 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,180
2025 BLS Actual
$98,860
2026 Current Est.
$101,292
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,784 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.7% from $86,180 (2019) to $98,860 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,784 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,604 (20.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $80,329 – $100,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,001 – $101,292 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,292 – $120,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,227 – $138,751 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Peoria
With approximately 300 physical therapists currently employed in Peoria, the job market shows steady demand as the growth rate is projected at 2.46% annually. The cost of living index, set at 91.231, suggests that earning potential in the area provides a reasonable purchasing power compared to national norms. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer competitive pay but often come with productivity demands that can vary significantly. Factors such as board certifications (like OCS or SCS), clinic ownership, and the distinctions between cash-pay versus insurance models tend to drive discrepancies in earnings. Therapists looking to enhance their income should focus on maximizing their productivity metrics, considering board certifications for potential stipends, while exploring opportunities with agencies that appeal to specialized practices or travel assignments. Understanding the nuances of physical therapist pay in Peoria, IL, is essential for graduates and professionals aiming to thrive in this evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 $98,860 for physical therapistsin the Peoria 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