Physical Therapist Pay

Mount Prospect vs Springfield: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Mount Prospect, IL and Springfield, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mount Prospect, IL
$102,982
$49.51/hr
Springfield, IL
$118,843
$57.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMount Prospect, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$102,982$118,843
Hourly Rate$49.51$57.13
Entry Level (P10)$75,151$83,023
25th Percentile$83,958$104,233
75th Percentile$120,952$129,899
Top Earner (P90)$133,363$151,016
Total Employed13150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mount Prospect ($102,982) and Springfield ($118,843) physical therapist salaries.Mount ProspectSpringfieldMedian Salary$102,982$118,843Entry Level (P10)$75,151$83,023Top Earner (P90)$133,363$151,016US Median $105,288

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Prospect.

The salary gap between Mount Prospect and Springfield is $15,861 (15.40%). Springfield's median is +12.87% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mount Prospect spans $58,212,Springfield spans $67,993. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Mount Prospect
P10 (Entry)$75,151
P25$83,958
Median$102,982
P75$120,952
P90 (Top)$133,363
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$83,023
P25$104,233
Median$118,843
P75$129,899
P90 (Top)$151,016

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($128,140 effective) pays 20.82% more than Mount Prospect ($106,058 effective).

Mount Prospect
Nominal: $102,982
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $106,058
Springfield
Nominal: $118,843
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $128,140

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mount Prospect if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,843/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($151,016)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $128,140)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Mount Prospect grew 7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.0% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Mount Prospect, IL

+7.9%

$93,173 (2024) → $100,509 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+38.0%

$84,040 (2019) → $115,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Mount Prospect or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median physical therapist salary at $118,843/year, compared to Mount Prospect at $102,982/year — a difference of $15,861 (15.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mount Prospect and Springfield?

Mount Prospect physical therapists earn $49.51/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $57.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mount Prospect to Springfield as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mount Prospect and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mount Prospect = $106,058, Springfield = $128,140), job availability (13 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Mount Prospect vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $75,151 in Mount Prospect and $83,023 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov