Physical Therapist Aide Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Physical Therapist Aides in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$36,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $35,240
State Rank
#14 of 50
680 employed here

How much does a Physical Therapist Aide make in Illinois?

A Physical Therapist Aide working in Illinois earns a median salary of $36,650 per year, or about $17.62 per hour. That is 4% above the national median of $35,240 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $48,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,040 and $38,090 a year.

Physical Therapist Aide salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$35,040$16.85
50th percentile (median)$36,650$17.62
75th percentile (experienced)$38,090$18.31
90th percentile (top earners)$48,360$23.25

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 14th out of 50 states and territories for Physical Therapist Aide pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$55,760
2Minnesota$42,330
3Colorado$41,970
4New Hampshire$40,460
5Maine$39,660

Working as a Physical Therapist Aide in Illinois

Nationally, about 48,000 people work as Physical Therapist Aides in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($36,650) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Physical Therapist Aide make in Illinois?
The median Physical Therapist Aide salary in Illinois is $36,650 per year, or about $17.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $48,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Physical Therapist Aides about 4% more than the national median of $35,240. Illinois ranks 14th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Physical Therapist Aides?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,650 a year. About 680 Physical Therapist Aides are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Physical Therapist Aide salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.