Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$65,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $68,380
State Rank
#25 of 51
4,890 employed here

How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in Illinois?

A Physical Therapist Assistant working in Illinois earns a median salary of $65,240 per year, or about $31.37 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $68,380 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $41,600 while the top 10% make $81,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,410 and $74,280 a year.

Physical Therapist Assistant salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,600$20.00
25th percentile (early career)$59,410$28.56
50th percentile (median)$65,240$31.37
75th percentile (experienced)$74,280$35.71
90th percentile (top earners)$81,890$39.37

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 25th out of 51 states and territories for Physical Therapist Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$83,110
2Massachusetts$79,460
3New Jersey$78,440
4Texas$78,000
5Maryland$77,670

Working as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Illinois

Nationally, about 112,000 people work as Physical Therapist Assistants 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 ($65,240) 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 Assistant make in Illinois?
The median Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Illinois is $65,240 per year, or about $31.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,600 at the entry level to $81,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Physical Therapist Assistants about 5% less than the national median of $68,380. Illinois ranks 25th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Physical Therapist Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $65,240 a year. About 4,890 Physical Therapist Assistants are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Assistant 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.