Physical Therapist Aide salary in Illinois
Physical Therapist Aides in Illinois earn a median of $36,650 a year ($17.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,360 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,240. Illinois ranks 14th of 50 states for physical therapist aides pay. There are 0.11 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $38,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Median | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| 75th percentile | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Average (mean) | $38,610 | $18.56 |
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 | $3,054.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,527.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,409.62 |
| Weekly | $704.81 |
| Hourly | $17.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,730 | 550 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $29,250 | 480 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Orderly | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,490 | $21.87 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in Illinois is $36,650 a year, or $17.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Illinois?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in Illinois 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 Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $35,040 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Illinois?
About 680 physical therapist aides are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.