Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Carbondale, IL: $62,063 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Carbondale, IL earns a median $62,063/year (≈ $29.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Carbondale's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $63,917 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in Carbondale reaches $62,063, which represents a notable difference when compared to the national median of $70,247. Local salaries exhibit a range from approximately $48,543 for the lowest earners to $77,361 for those at the higher end, reflecting a healthy diversity in compensation. These figures are informed by state-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and consider regional price variations. Given the limited employment pool of only five physical therapist assistants in Carbondale, job competition and the specificity of local market conditions significantly impact salary outcomes.
About the Carbondale Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,543 | $23.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,355 | $27.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,063 | $29.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,256 | $33.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,361 | $37.19 |
Median Salary Position
11.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carbondale
In Carbondale, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,818 (2026 est.). At $62,063, the local median is 11.65% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carbondale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carbondale Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Carbondale median: $62,063/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carbondale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,236 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.65% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Carbondale, IL earn a median of $62,063 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.65% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $66,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carbondale has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carbondale, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,063 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,917 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,380
2025 BLS Actual
$60,414
2026 Current Est.
$62,063
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,414 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,063 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,758 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carbondale metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.2% from $53,380 (2019) to $60,414 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,758 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,378 (19.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carbondale 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,543 – $57,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,355 – $62,063 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,063 – $70,256 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,256 – $77,361 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Carbondale
Amidst a cost of living index of 97.1, the financial landscape in Carbondale suggests that the take-home purchasing power of a physical therapist assistant can stretch further compared to many other regions. Employers across various settings play various roles in determining pay. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer more competitive compensation than skilled nursing facilities, especially due to the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on PTA services that has affected reimbursement rates. Strategies to maximize earnings in the local market may include pursuing roles in higher-paying outpatient clinics, considering weekend or on-call opportunities that may carry premium wages, and exploring collaborations with physical therapists that could elevate productivity expectations. By understanding these dynamics, physical therapist assistants can better navigate their career trajectories in Carbondale, IL.
More salary data for Carbondale, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Carbondale, IL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Carbondale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Carbondale?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,414 for physical therapist assistantsin the Carbondale metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carbondale 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