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Physical Therapist Assistant in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Illinois employs 4,890 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $65,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Illinois (May 2025)

Illinois median pay: $65,240 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $41,600
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,280
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,890
Employed in Illinois: 4,890
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Illinois markets:

Chicago metro: $72,230 (3,520 employed)
Springfield: $66,390 (70 employed)
Rockford: $64,040 (90 employed)
Champaign–Urbana: $61,430 (80 employed)
Peoria: $61,120 (160 employed)
Bloomington: $59,590 (80 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois

Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,240 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)

Illinois is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +20.7%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 920 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Illinois License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant license — regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).
Pass the NPTE-PTA national exam.
Apply through IDFPR with the standard background check.

Official requirements: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) →

Training in Illinois

Illinois community colleges (Southwestern, Fox College, Kankakee, Illinois Central) run CAPTE programs at reasonable cost. Outpatient ortho and skilled nursing dominate hiring statewide.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Illinois include:

Black Hawk College — Associate
Carl Sandburg College — Associate
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College — Associate
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Illinois

Real Illinois outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Community Physical Therapy & Assoc Ltd — Addison
Cora Physical Therapy - Belvidere — Belvidere
Novacare Rehabilitation — Benton
Empowerme Rehabilitation Illinois, LLC — Bethalto
Advanced Physical Therapy Services, Ltd — Bloomington
Empowerme Rehabilitation — Bloomington

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Illinois?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Illinois is $65,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $41,600, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Illinois?

Physical Therapist Assistant license, overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Illinois?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Illinois metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Illinois metro areas, Chicago metro leads at $72,230, followed by Springfield ($66,390), Rockford ($64,040). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Illinois?

Real Illinois options include Black Hawk College, Carl Sandburg College, City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Illinois?

Illinois projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +20.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 920 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Illinois wages · Illinois licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.