How much does a physical therapist assistant make in Chicago?
$72,230a year
Median yearly pay for physical therapist assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $34.73 an hour or $6,019 a month.
- Hourly
- $34.73
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 93 of 348
- Jobs in the area
- 3,520
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $41,600Median: $72,230Highest 10%: $82,880
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,600 | $20.00 | |
| 25th | $61,930 | $29.77 | |
| Median | $72,230 | $34.73 | |
| 75th | $75,870 | $36.48 | |
| 90th | $82,880 | $39.85 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for physical therapist assistants.
| Springfield, IL | $66,390 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,820 |
| Rockford, IL | $64,040 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $61,560 |
| Champaign, IL | $61,430 |
| Davenport, IA | $61,130 |
| Peoria, IL | $61,120 |
| Bloomington, IL | $59,590 |
| Paducah, KY | $58,720 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,840 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,950 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $48,670 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $48,440 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $43,270 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $34.73 ($72,230 a year).
Do physical therapist assistants make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $72,230 against $68,380 nationally, 6% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $65,240, so Chicago pays 11% more.
Where does Chicago rank for physical therapist assistant pay?
93 of 348 metro areas with data.
How much does a physical therapist assistant make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $41,600 or less a year; the top 10% make $82,880 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.