Physical Therapist Salary in Chicago, IL
Physical Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $105,720 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,116 take-home, or $6,510 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,428
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,555
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,533
- Illinois income tax$5,088
- Take-home pay$78,116
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,220 | $40.97 | $64,709 | $5,392 |
| 25th percentile | $98,120 | $47.17 | $73,145 | $6,095 |
| Median (50th) | $105,720 | $50.83 | $78,116 | $6,510 |
| 75th percentile | $123,720 | $59.48 | $89,849 | $7,487 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,320 | $68.42 | $101,642 | $8,470 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $105,720 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $78,116 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,405 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physical Therapist jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 21 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $107,700 | $84,597 | $85,773 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $141,980 | $97,489 | $84,324 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $103,630 | $81,734 | $83,346 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $103,770 | $78,800 | $82,345 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $107,780 | $84,653 | $82,116 |
| 6 | Tampa, FL | $102,430 | $80,890 | $80,176 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $100,600 | $75,811 | $79,727 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $105,790 | $80,006 | $78,013 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $105,720 | $78,116 | $75,405 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 21 metros →
About the job: physical therapists
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.9% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Chicago, IL?
The median physical therapist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $105,720 a year, or about $50.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $98,120 and $123,720.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $105,720 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $78,116 a year ($6,510 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,088 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,405 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Pharmacist — $140,880
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,740
- Physician Assistant — $127,940
- Registered Nurse — $100,490
- Dental Hygienist — $100,260
- Occupational Therapist — $99,860
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $98,490
- Physicians, All Other — $94,820
- Respiratory Therapist — $87,060
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $82,140
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $78,070