How much does a physical therapist make in Chicago?
$105,700a year
Median yearly pay for physical therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $50.83 an hour or $8,810 a month.
- Hourly
- $50.83
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 71 of 389
- Jobs in the area
- 7,880
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $85,220Median: $105,700Highest 10%: $142,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $85,220 | $40.97 | |
| 25th | $98,120 | $47.17 | |
| Median | $105,700 | $50.83 | |
| 75th | $123,700 | $59.48 | |
| 90th | $142,300 | $68.42 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for physical therapists.
| Springfield, IL | $116,000 |
| Rockford, IL | $101,300 |
| St. Louis, MO | $100,600 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $100,400 |
| Kankakee, IL | $99,770 |
| Davenport, IA | $99,410 |
| Paducah, KY | $99,330 |
| Peoria, IL | $98,860 |
| Champaign, IL | $97,840 |
| Bloomington, IL | $97,250 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Radiologist | $479,900 |
| Cardiologist | $475,600 |
| Surgeon | $462,600 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $446,500 |
| Dermatologist | $435,800 |
| Physician | $336,700 |
| Ophthalmologist | $284,600 |
| Dentist | $269,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,900 |
| Psychiatrist | $258,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $50.83 ($105,700 a year).
Do physical therapists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $105,700 against $102,800 nationally, 3% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $105,300, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for physical therapist pay?
71 of 389 metro areas with data.
How much does a physical therapist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $85,220 or less a year; the top 10% make $142,300 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.