Physical Therapist Salary in St. Charles, IL: $101,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in St. Charles, IL earns a median $101,556/year (≈ $48.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $104,589 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, Illinois, the projected median annual physical therapist salary is $101,556 for 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $105,288. This figure falls within a salary range from $77,502 at the 10th percentile to $125,271 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse work settings within the field. Physical therapists working in outpatient orthopedic clinics may find themselves earning less than their hospital counterparts due to the emphasis on productivity and performance bonuses. These local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the financial realities of physical therapist pay in St. Charles, revealing essential insights about the job market and earning potential depending on the employment structure.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,502 | $37.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,879 | $40.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,556 | $48.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,073 | $55.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,271 | $60.23 |
Median Salary Position
3.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,769 (2026 est.). At $101,556, the local median is 3.54% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be above the median
How St. Charles Physical Therapist Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $101,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $102,998 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.54% less |
Physical Therapists in St. Charles, IL earn a median of $101,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $102,998.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles 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.
St. Charles, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,556 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,589 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,270
2025 BLS Actual
$99,118
2026 Current Est.
$101,556
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,784 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,231 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,257 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,884 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,118 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,055 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,270 (2019) to $99,118 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,055 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,785 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $77,502 – $84,879 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,879 – $101,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,556 – $116,073 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,073 – $125,271 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in St. Charles
Despite the median salary indicating a reasonable compensation level for physical therapists in St. Charles, the local job market only employs seven professionals in this field, suggesting a niche environment. The cost of living index for St. Charles sits at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for those in the profession. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico and ATI are prevalent, often providing lower upfront compensation compared to hospitals but may offer bonuses based on visit productivity. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include expectations around patient volume, specialized certifications like OCS and SCS, and varying practice models—cash-pay settings can yield higher rates compared to traditional insurance reimbursement practices. To maximize earning potential, physical therapists should focus on obtaining board certification, enhancing productivity metrics, and considering employment with facilities that prioritize performance incentives such as travel PT agencies or wellness-focused practices.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 $99,118 for physical therapistsin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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