Physical Therapist Salary in Waukegan, IL: $103,177 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Waukegan, IL earns a median $103,177/year (≈ $49.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $106,258 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, Illinois, physical therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $103,177 in 2026, indicating competitiveness in the local healthcare market when compared to the national median of $105,288. Salary ranges reflect the diversity of positions in the field, with entry-level professionals starting around $75,610 while those with more experience can reach as high as $140,831. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional pricing, underscore the influence of local productivity expectations on compensation. As the demand for physical therapy services continues to grow, job opportunities for this profession in Waukegan are critical for those entering the field.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,355 | $40.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,177 | $49.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,831 | $67.71 |
Median Salary Position
2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,221 (2026 est.). At $103,177, the local median is 2% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $103,177/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,074 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.00% less |
Physical Therapists in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $103,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.00% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $103,074.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan 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.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,177 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,258 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,647
2025 BLS Actual
$100,700
2026 Current Est.
$103,177
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,186 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,703 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,761 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,711 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,351 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,177 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,715 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $87,647 (2019) to $100,700 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,715 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,068 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $75,610 – $84,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,355 – $103,177 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,177 – $121,260 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,260 – $140,831 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Waukegan
Currently, Waukegan employs 18 physical therapists, navigating a job market characterized by a cost of living index at 97.1, which can enhance take-home purchasing power compared to the national average. The highest salaries are often found within hospital settings, though outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico and ATI can offer competitive pay structures that include performance bonuses tied to visit productivity. Factors such as board certifications, like OCS or SCS, can also drive salary increases, highlighting the importance of specialization in enhancing physical therapist pay in Waukegan, IL. To maximize earnings, new graduates should consider roles in settings that offer high patient volumes and look into cash-pay practice models, which can yield higher per-visit compensation, especially in an increasingly competitive landscape of physical therapy.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 $100,700 for physical therapistsin the Waukegan 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 Waukegan 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