Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Decatur, IL: $61.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Decatur, IL runs $61.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,690 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,221 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, the physical therapist hourly pay stands at $61.88, significantly outpacing the national median of $50.62. This attractive hourly rate offers lucrative opportunities for both part-time practitioners working three days a week and per-diem professionals in various settings such as outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and school therapy rooms. Here, entry-level PTs can expect to earn about $42.15 per hour, while experienced therapists at the top of their field earn approximately $72.73 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2026 indicates that physical therapy remains a strong career choice in Decatur, bolstered by the city’s cost of living index, which is lower than the national average.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.15 | $337.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.58 | $388.61 |
| Median (P50) | $61.88 | $495.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.73 | $581.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.73 | $581.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $61.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.88/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, IL can expect to earn approximately $128,701 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,251. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,475.02 | $10,725 | $128,701 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,485.01 | $6,435 | $77,221 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $990.01 | $4,290 | $51,480 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Decatur) | $61.88 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Decatur, IL earn a median of $128,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.23% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 24.90% above the Illinois state average of $103,034.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.88/hr = $77,221/year (purchasing power: $87,332).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,701/year (purchasing power: $145,553).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Decatur grew 43.3% from $42.15/hr (2019) to $60.39/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.40/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Decatur
For part-time physical therapists in Decatur, working just 24 hours a week translates to an annual income of around $77,014, which is competitive yet significantly less than a full-time workload. Per diem physical therapists typically earn between $50-$75 per hour, depending on their setting and expertise. Agencies offering travel contracts can see therapists earning between $1,800 and $2,800 weekly, accommodating the higher demands of short-term placements. Hourly rates may differ across employer types within Decatur; private practices often pay lower rates than hospital systems, though productivity bonuses in outpatient settings can enhance earnings. Some therapists opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for job security and health benefits, especially as the CMS reimbursement landscape remains challenging. To negotiate effectively, professionals should be prepared to discuss their specific skill sets and flexibility; emphasizing specialization can significantly improve compensation discussions in this competitive field.
More salary data for Decatur, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Decatur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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