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.
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 #78 of 104 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McAllen, TX | $103,980 | $81,980 | $95,442 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $116,480 | $90,774 | $90,579 |
| 3 | El Paso, TX | $102,190 | $80,721 | $89,777 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $106,010 | $83,408 | $88,061 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $104,750 | $80,423 | $87,938 |
| 6 | Jackson, MS | $103,000 | $77,903 | $87,484 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $139,000 | $95,768 | $86,728 |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $100,000 | $79,180 | $85,898 |
| 78 | 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 104 metros →
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 #78 of 104 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
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $226,060
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,080
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $208,000
- Pediatricians, General — $188,340
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Veterinarian — $148,730
- Optometrist — $145,630
- Pharmacist — $140,880