Physical Therapist Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$105,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $102,760
State Rank
#9 of 51
9,800 employed here

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Illinois?

Physical Therapists in Illinois take home a median of $105,250 annually — roughly $50.60 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $102,760.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $83,000 while the top 10% make $140,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $95,940 and $122,920 a year.

Physical Therapist salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$83,000$39.90
25th percentile (early career)$95,940$46.13
50th percentile (median)$105,250$50.60
75th percentile (experienced)$122,920$59.10
90th percentile (top earners)$140,410$67.50

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories for Physical Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$124,190
2Alaska$115,280
3New Jersey$112,140
4Nevada$111,250
5Maryland$106,890

Working as a Physical Therapist in Illinois

Nationally, about 267,000 people work as Physical Therapists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($105,250) 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 make in Illinois?
The median Physical Therapist salary in Illinois is $105,250 per year, or about $50.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,000 at the entry level to $140,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Physical Therapists about 2% more than the national median of $102,760. Illinois ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Physical Therapists?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $105,250 a year. About 9,800 Physical Therapists 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 salary report

Related salaries

Orthotists and Prosthetists

$81,110
median pay · 9,000 employed

Physician Assistant

$135,880
median pay · 162,000 employed

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$64,400
median pay · 648,000 employed

Occupational Therapist

$100,330
median pay · 162,000 employed

Optometrist

$136,570
median pay · 43,000 employed

Audiologist

$95,780
median pay · 14,000 employed
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.