Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Kankakee, IL: $32.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Kankakee, IL runs $32.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,733 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Kankakee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,039 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kankakee, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at $32.08, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate is particularly significant for those in part-time positions, such as working three days a week in settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health visits. With the hourly wage ranging from $28.63 for entry-level roles to $39.83 for top earners, PTAs in Kankakee can find flexibility in their work schedules, which is appealing for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. These figures are derived from data projected for 2026 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, making it essential for aspiring PTAs to understand the current compensation landscape as they consider their career paths.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.63 | $229.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.65 | $245.24 |
| Median (P50) | $32.08 | $256.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.83 | $318.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.83 | $318.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kankakee
Based on $32.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.08/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kankakee, IL can expect to earn approximately $66,732 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,499. With a cost-of-living index of 96.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kankakee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kankakee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,283.30 | $5,561 | $66,732 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $769.98 | $3,337 | $40,039 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $513.32 | $2,224 | $26,693 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Kankakee) | $32.08 |
| 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 Kankakee, IL earn a median of $66,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.00% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% above the Illinois state average of $66,270.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.08/hr = $40,039/year (purchasing power: $41,537).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,732/year (purchasing power: $69,228).
CoL index: 96.394 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kankakee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Kankakee grew 12.4% from $27.78/hr (2019) to $31.23/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.96/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 Kankakee 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 Kankakee
For those working part-time as physical therapist assistants, the financial picture varies significantly. A PTA working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week could expect an annual take-home amount that is notably lower compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Kankakee typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, leading to flexible options for individuals who value work-life balance. Travel PTA contracts can offer even more lucrative opportunities, billing between $1,200 and $1,800 per week, though compensation might fluctuate with recent changes in Medicare reimbursement policies, especially in skilled nursing facilities. Ultimately, PTAs in Kankakee may find themselves weighing the benefits of steady hourly work with health insurance against potentially higher pay in per diem roles without benefits. Knowing how to negotiate based on these factors can greatly impact one’s compensation and job satisfaction in the ever-evolving landscape of physical therapy.
More salary data for Kankakee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Kankakee in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Kankakee?
Are physical therapist assistants in Kankakee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Kankakee?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kankakee?
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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 Kankakee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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