Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $31.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Gurnee, IL runs $31.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,299 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,180 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $31.39 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $33.77. For part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, this translates to an earnings potential that can still be quite competitive in outpatient clinic settings, skilled nursing facilities, and home health services. The hourly pay ranges from $22.25 for entry-level roles to $38.61 for those at the top of their earning potential, offering a varied landscape of opportunities within the profession. This data is estimated from projected annual salaries, reflecting the diverse environments in which physical therapist assistants operate, from pediatric therapy units to hospital inpatient rehab.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.25 | $178.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.39 | $219.10 |
| Median (P50) | $31.39 | $251.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.95 | $279.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.61 | $308.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $31.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.39/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $65,300 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,673. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,255.77 | $5,442 | $65,300 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.46 | $3,265 | $39,180 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.31 | $2,177 | $26,120 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Gurnee) | $31.39 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $65,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.04% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $66,294.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.39/hr = $39,180/year (purchasing power: $40,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,300/year (purchasing power: $67,250).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Gurnee grew 16.3% from $26.27/hr (2019) to $30.56/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Gurnee
Part-time work as a physical therapist assistant can yield significant variation in annual income. A typical schedule of 24 hours per week could net approximately $38,300, compared to a full-time PTA earning closer to $65,299 annually. Per diem positions often offer enticing rates, with physical therapist assistants billing between $32 and $48 per hour, particularly beneficial for those willing to take on contract work that may involve travel. However, interest in positions at skilled nursing facilities might take a hit, particularly after the 15% Medicare cut for PTA services implemented in 2022, which has affected wages in Medicare-reliant settings. Different employer types in Gurnee reflect distinct pay scales, with outpatient clinics typically offering more competitive hourly rates than schools or home health agencies. While some PTAs may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, others focus on maximizing their paychecks without inclusion of benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rates, illustrating versatility and willingness to work in various settings can enhance opportunities in this fluctuating market.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Gurnee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gurnee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov