Physical Therapist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Physical Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $105,720 a year ($50.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,320 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $105,250. There are 1.7 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $110,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,220 | $40.97 |
| 25th percentile | $98,120 | $47.17 |
| Median | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| 75th percentile | $123,720 | $59.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,320 | $68.42 |
| Average (mean) | $110,460 | $53.11 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $8,810 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,405 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,066.15 |
| Weekly | $2,033.08 |
| Hourly | $50.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $105,720 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 salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $125,600 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $115,990 | 150 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $103,770 | 2,790 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $102,890 | 2,090 |
| Bloomington, IN | $102,750 | 130 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $102,260 | 1,140 |
| Muncie, IN | $101,710 | 80 |
| Rockford, IL | $101,340 | 190 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $100,890 | 80 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $100,600 | 2,480 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,420 | 100 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $100,310 | 180 |
| Kankakee, IL | $99,770 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $99,410 | 280 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $99,330 | 80 |
| Peoria, IL | $98,860 | 300 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $98,450 | 450 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $98,420 | 50 |
| Kokomo, IN | $98,350 | 60 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $98,270 | 200 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $97,840 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IL | $97,250 | 100 |
| Evansville, IN | $96,820 | 340 |
| Columbus, IN | $96,400 | 90 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $94,760 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Veterinarian | $148,730 | $71.51 |
| Chiropractor | $72,440 | $34.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-1123. 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 make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $105,720 a year, or $50.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $142,320 a year. The top 25% earn $123,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,220 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $98,120 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 7,880 physical therapists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.