How much does a therapist make in Chicago?
$157,500a year
Median yearly pay for therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $75.73 an hour or $13,130 a month.
- Hourly
- $75.73
- Vs. national median
- +102%
- Rank among cities
- 1 of 78
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $61,210Median: $157,500Highest 10%: $193,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,210 | $29.43 | |
| 25th | $70,810 | $34.04 | |
| Median | $157,500 | $75.73 | |
| 75th | $193,800 | $93.15 | |
| 90th | $193,800 | $93.15 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for therapists.
| St. Louis, MO | $65,390 |
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 therapist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $75.73 ($157,500 a year).
Do therapists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $157,500 against $77,930 nationally, 102% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $116,200, so Chicago pays 36% more.
Where does Chicago rank for therapist pay?
1 of 78 metro areas with data.
How much does a therapist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $61,210 or less a year; the top 10% make $193,800 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.