Physical Therapist Salary in Rockford, IL: $103,833 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Rockford, IL earns a median $103,833/year (≈ $49.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $112,673 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, the compensation landscape for physical therapists reflects both local economic conditions and professional expectations. The 2026 median annual salary for physical therapists is projected at $103,833, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range in this area varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning approximately $77,818 and the top 10% pulling in around $130,954. These figures are drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrate how the expectations for productivity in patient visits per day can impact effective hourly compensation. With the market gravitating towards efficiency, Rockford's job market remains competitive, offering valuable opportunities for practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,818 | $37.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,833 | $49.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,292 | $60.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,954 | $62.96 |
Median Salary Position
1.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,136 (2026 est.). At $103,833, the local median is 1.38% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Rockford median: $103,833/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,009 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.38% less |
Physical Therapists in Rockford, IL earn a median of $103,833 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.38% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.80% above the Illinois state average of $103,009.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,833 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,673 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,550
2025 BLS Actual
$101,340
2026 Current Est.
$103,833
2019–2027 Growth
+15.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,833 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 9.5% from $92,550 (2019) to $101,340 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,837 (14.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $77,818 – $102,440 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,440 – $103,833 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,833 – $126,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,292 – $130,954 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Rockford
The local job market for physical therapists is relatively strong, with around 190 professionals currently employed in the area. Notably, the cost of living index of 92.154 indicates that residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which can enhance the real purchasing power of their salaries. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics or hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to offer competitive compensation. Variations in pay across different settings often arise from factors such as productivity expectations, board certification stipends, and the practice model employed, such as cash-pay versus insurance. To maximize earning potential in Rockford, physical therapists should consider specializing with credentials like OCS or SCS, enhancing their marketability, and exploring versatile employment opportunities that may offer higher compensation based on patient volume or premium pay structures.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $101,340 for physical therapistsin the Rockford 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