Physical Therapist Salary in Urbana, IL: $99,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Urbana, IL earns a median $99,882/year (≈ $48.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $102,865 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbana, Illinois, the compensation for physical therapists is projected to have a median annual salary of $99,882 in 2026. Compared to the national average of $105,288, local pay reflects a slight dip of about 5.13%. The salary spectrum ranges from $81,193 at the 10th percentile to $129,298 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a varied landscape influenced by factors such as specialty, practice settings, and patient volume expectations. These estimates stem from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional costs, painting a detailed picture of physical therapist pay in Urbana given the area's unique economic environment and local job market.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,193 | $39.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,149 | $41.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,882 | $48.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,569 | $56.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,298 | $62.16 |
Median Salary Position
5.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,105 (2026 est.). At $99,882, the local median is 5.13% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Urbana median: $99,882/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,078 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.13% less |
Physical Therapists in Urbana, IL earn a median of $99,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.13% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.10% below the Illinois state average of $103,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana 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.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,882 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,865 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,848
2025 BLS Actual
$97,484
2026 Current Est.
$99,882
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,848 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,337 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,711 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,703 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,591 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,484 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,339 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,848 (2019) to $97,484 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,339 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,491 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $81,193 – $87,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,149 – $99,882 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,882 – $117,569 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,569 – $129,298 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Urbana
While there are currently only 6 physical therapists employed in Urbana, the job market does show potential for growth, with an annual growth rate of 2.46% expected over the next five years. The cost of living index for Urbana stands at 97.1, which indicates that take-home salaries may stretch further than in more expensive regions. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including larger chains like Athletico and ATI, typically represent the primary employers in the area and are known for offering productivity bonuses. However, the spread in salaries can often be attributed to variations in productivity expectations, board specialization stipends, and the choice between cash-pay versus insurance-based practice models. For physical therapists aiming to maximize their pay in Urbana, focusing on attaining board certifications like OCS or SCS, pursuing opportunities in settings that reward high patient volumes, and considering additional roles in travel PT can all serve as effective strategies.
More salary data for Urbana, 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 $97,484 for physical therapistsin the Urbana 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 Urbana 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