Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Joliet, IL: $65,833 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Joliet, IL earns a median $65,833/year (≈ $31.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $67,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Joliet, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $65,833. This local figure is slightly below the national median of $70,247, indicating a modest competitiveness in pay relative to the broader job market. The salary range for this role spans from $46,206 at the 10th percentile to $87,507 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability based on experience and workplace setting. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, showcase the earning potential for those in the field. The job market in Joliet highlights a growing demand for physical therapist assistants, driven by increased healthcare needs in outpatient and inpatient rehab settings.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,206 | $22.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,397 | $27.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,833 | $31.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,565 | $36.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,507 | $42.07 |
Median Salary Position
6.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,301 (2026 est.). At $65,833, the local median is 6.28% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Joliet median: $65,833/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,231 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.28% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Joliet, IL earn a median of $65,833 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.28% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $66,231.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,833 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,799 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,096
2025 BLS Actual
$64,084
2026 Current Est.
$65,833
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,096 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,336 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,826 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,054 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,833 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,631 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $55,096 (2019) to $64,084 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,631 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,535 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $46,206 – $57,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,397 – $65,833 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,833 – $76,565 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,565 – $87,507 |
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 Joliet
With 25 physical therapist assistants working in Joliet, the job market displays moderate activity. The cost of living index in Joliet stands at 97.1, which offers slightly better purchasing power than the national average. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities generally provide higher compensation compared to home health agencies and pediatric clinics. The disparity in pay can result from factors such as settings where hospital roles typically command more compensation than outpatient facilities, particularly in light of recent Medicare cuts, which reduced reimbursement rates for services provided by physical therapist assistants in SNFs and outpatient clinics. To enhance earning potential, it could be beneficial for physical therapist assistants to gain experience in high-demand settings or consider supplemental certifications. Pursuing further education pathways like the PTA-to-DPT bridge can also play a significant role in advancing one’s career and salary prospects in Joliet, IL.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Joliet, IL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Joliet?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Joliet?
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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 $64,084 for physical therapist assistantsin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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