Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Chicago, IL
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $72,230 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,213 take-home, or $4,684 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist assistant salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,061
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,478
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,047
- Illinois income tax$3,431
- Take-home pay$56,213
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 Assistant pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,600 | $20.00 | $33,691 | $2,808 |
| 25th percentile | $61,930 | $29.77 | $49,020 | $4,085 |
| Median (50th) | $72,230 | $34.73 | $56,213 | $4,684 |
| 75th percentile | $75,870 | $36.48 | $58,594 | $4,883 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,880 | $39.85 | $63,178 | $5,265 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $72,230 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 assistant's $56,213 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,262 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 Assistant jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for physical therapist assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 4 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $82,140 | $62,138 | $54,716 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $72,230 | $56,213 | $54,262 |
| 3 | Miami, FL | $72,530 | $59,855 | $52,433 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $75,620 | $58,542 | $52,008 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 4 metros →
About the job: physical therapist assistants
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +23.0% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make in Chicago, IL?
The median physical therapist assistant salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $72,230 a year, or about $34.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,930 and $75,870.
What is a physical therapist assistant’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $72,230 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $56,213 a year ($4,684 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,431 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $68,380. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,262 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 4 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist assistant 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) — 33% of a median physical therapist assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Nursing Assistant — $46,940
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,180