Physical Therapist salary in Illinois
Physical Therapists in Illinois earn a median of $105,250 a year ($50.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,410 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $102,760. Illinois ranks 9th of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 1.6 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $109,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,000 | $39.90 |
| 25th percentile | $95,940 | $46.13 |
| Median | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| 75th percentile | $122,920 | $59.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,410 | $67.51 |
| Average (mean) | $109,080 | $52.44 |
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 | $8,770.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,385.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,048.08 |
| Weekly | $2,024.04 |
| Hourly | $50.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $125,600 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $115,990 | 150 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $105,720 | 7,880 |
| Rockford, IL | $101,340 | 190 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $100,600 | 2,480 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,420 | 100 |
| 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 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $97,840 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IL | $97,250 | 100 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $245,120 | $117.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for physical therapists in Illinois is $105,250 a year, or $50.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of physical therapists in Illinois earn at least $140,410 a year. The top 25% earn $122,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,000 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $95,940 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Illinois?
About 9,800 physical therapists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.