Physical Therapist Aide salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Physical Therapist Aides in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $36,730 a year ($17.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,360 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,240. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $36,650. There are 0.12 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $38,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| 25th percentile | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| Median | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| 75th percentile | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Average (mean) | $38,100 | $18.32 |
Half of physical therapist aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,060.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,530.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,412.69 |
| Weekly | $706.35 |
| Hourly | $17.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $38,050 | 310 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,230 | 100 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,370 | 90 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $29,930 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $29,250 | 480 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,120 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 |
| Colorado | $41,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 |
| Maine | $39,660 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 |
| Montana | $38,950 |
| California | $38,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 |
See Physical Therapist Aide pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $43,270 | $20.81 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $39,280 | $18.88 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Orderly | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,730 a year, or $17.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $48,360 a year. The top 25% earn $38,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,570 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $35,320 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 550 physical therapist aides are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.