Physical Therapist Salary in Chicago, IL: $108,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Chicago, IL earns a median $108,321/year (≈ $52.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $104,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapists in Chicago, IL, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $108,321 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession is broad, with entry-level positions earning around $87,316 (P10) and experienced therapists potentially making as much as $145,821 (P90). These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, reflect a competitive job market that can be influenced by factors such as daily productivity expectations and the mode of practice, whether cash-pay or insurance-based. Given the pressure for high visit volumes each day, effective hourly compensation can be significantly impacted, contributing to attractive earning potential for those in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,316 | $41.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,534 | $48.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,321 | $52.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,764 | $60.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,821 | $70.10 |
Median Salary Position
2.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,505 (2026 est.). At $108,321, the local median is 2.88% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $108,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,064 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +2.88% more |
Physical Therapists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $108,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.88% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 5.10% above the Illinois state average of $103,064.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,321 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,562 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,450
2025 BLS Actual
$105,720
2026 Current Est.
$108,321
2019–2027 Growth
+18.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,985 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 13.1% from $93,450 (2019) to $105,720 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,535 (18.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $87,316 – $100,534 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,534 – $108,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,321 – $126,764 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,764 – $145,821 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Chicago
The demand for physical therapists in Chicago is robust, with approximately 7,880 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living presents its challenges, quantified by a cost-of-living index of 103.595, which means take-home pay may not stretch as far as it would in regions with lower living costs. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico and ATI tend to pay less than hospital systems but can offer productivity bonuses that increase total compensation. Additionally, factors driving the variance in pay include clinic ownership stakes, premium rates from travel PT positions, and stipends for board certifications like OCS or SCS. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, physical therapists should consider enhancing their qualifications through specialization, seeking employment with high-paying facilities, and understanding the nuances of productivity models and reimbursement trends.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Chicago, IL in 2026?
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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 $105,720 for physical therapistsin the Chicago 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
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