Physical Therapy Technician Jobs in Illinois

Illinois PT Tech Job Market

Illinois offers exceptional opportunities for Physical Therapy Technicians, with salaries -3% vs national vs the national average and access to top rehabilitation facilities.

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Strong Demand

3,100+ PT Tech positions open annually across Illinois. Population density (highest in US) drives consistent healthcare demand.

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Premium Pay

$34,280 average salary, -3% vs national vs national. Metro Illinois pays even higher—up to $44,600 at top facilities.

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Elite Facilities

Home to Northwestern Medicine and other leading healthcare facilities across Illinois.

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Career Growth

Major employers offer tuition reimbursement for PT Techs pursuing PTA degrees. Clear advancement pathways available.

What Physical Therapy Technicians Do

PT Techs work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists, providing essential support for patient care and clinic operations.

✓ Daily PT Tech Responsibilities

● Patient Exercise Assistance: Guide patients through therapeutic exercises prescribed by the PT, ensuring proper form and safety
● Treatment Preparation: Set up treatment areas, prepare equipment, apply hot/cold packs, and ready modalities like ultrasound
● Patient Transfers: Assist patients with mobility, transfers between surfaces, and safe ambulation with devices
● Equipment Maintenance: Clean, sanitize, and maintain therapy equipment; report any malfunctions
● Documentation Support: Record patient attendance, exercise completion, and observations for PT review
● Patient Transport: Escort patients to and from treatment areas; assist with wheelchairs and walkers

🏥 Work Settings in Illinois

● Outpatient PT Clinics: Most common setting—OSF HealthCare alone has 100+ IL locations. Regular hours, diverse patient cases.
● Inpatient Rehabilitation: Northwestern Medicine and hospital rehab units. Complex cases including stroke, TBI, spinal cord injuries.
● Hospital PT Departments: Acute care settings at major systems like Hackensack Meridian and Rush University Medical Center.
● Skilled Nursing Facilities: Post-acute rehabilitation for elderly patients. Consistent schedules, growing demand.
● Sports Medicine: Athletic training facilities, sports PT clinics. Work with athletes at all levels.
● Home Health: Travel to patient homes. Higher pay, mileage reimbursement, flexible scheduling.

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PT Tech vs. Other Healthcare Roles

Physical Therapy Technicians focus specifically on PT support tasks. PT Techs do not perform clinical tasks like blood draws, EKGs, medication administration, or wound care—those are performed by nurses, PCTs, or medical assistants. PT Techs work exclusively within the physical therapy department under PT supervision.

Top PT Tech Employers in Illinois

Illinois's largest health systems and rehabilitation facilities are actively hiring PT Techs. These employers offer competitive pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.

Northwestern Medicine

Academic

Chicago

Premier academic medical center

312-926-2000 View Jobs →

Advocate Aurora Health

Illinois's Largest

Chicago Metro

Largest IL system

630-990-5000 View Jobs →

Rush University Medical Center

Top Ranked

Chicago

Top-ranked academic hospital

312-942-5000 View Jobs →

OSF HealthCare

Growing Network

Peoria/Central IL

Downstate Illinois leader

309-655-2201 View Jobs →

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Illinois's Largest

Chicago

#1 ranked rehab hospital in US

312-238-1000 View Jobs →

Advocate Aurora Health

Rural Illinois

Rural areas

Midwest's largest health system

800-323-8622 View Jobs →

PT Tech Salaries Across Illinois

Salaries vary across Illinois regions. Metro Illinois typically pays highest, while Rural Illinois offers different cost-of-living dynamics.

Metro Illinois

Major metro areas

$39K-$42K

Highest wages, urban centers

Suburban Illinois

Suburban counties

$34K-$39K

Balanced cost/salary

Central Illinois

Central regions

$30K-$35K

Growing healthcare sector

Rural Illinois

Rural areas

$29K-$32K

Lower COL, community focus

Pro Tip: While Metro Illinois pays highest, Rural Illinois's lower housing costs often result in similar take-home purchasing power. Consider total compensation including benefits, commute time, and quality of life.

How to Land a PT Tech Job in Illinois

Follow these proven strategies to stand out in Illinois's competitive PT Tech job market.

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1. Get Certified

Complete PT Tech training and earn your CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification significantly improves your competitiveness, especially at top facilities like Northwestern Medicine.

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2. Target Top Employers

Apply directly to major health systems. Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, and Rush University Medical Center have dedicated PT department hiring. Check their career pages regularly.

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3. Network Locally

Attend IL Physical Therapy Association events. Connect with PTs during your externship. Many PT Tech positions are filled through referrals before being posted publicly.

Ready to Start Your PT Tech Career?

Complete EHired's free PT Tech training program and gain the skills Illinois employers are looking for.

Start Free Training Today

Make a one-time payment when you're ready to challenge for certification and start working

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Physical Therapy Technicians do on the job in Illinois?

PT Techs in Illinois prepare treatment areas and equipment, assist patients with therapeutic exercises under PT supervision, help with patient transfers and mobility, apply hot/cold packs, set up treatment modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, transport patients, maintain equipment, and document patient progress. They work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists.

Which employers hire the most PT Techs in Illinois?

Major PT Tech employers in Illinois include Northwestern Medicine (#4 ranked nationally), Advocate Aurora Health (IL's largest system), Rush University Medical Center, OSF HealthCare (largest private PT practice in tristate), Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and Advocate Aurora Health. Hospital systems, outpatient PT clinics, and rehabilitation centers are the primary employers.

How much do PT Techs earn in Illinois?

Physical Therapy Technicians in Illinois earn an average of $34,280 per year (-3% vs national). Entry-level positions start around $24,300, experienced PT Techs earn $39,800+, and top earners at leading facilities can reach $44,600+. Metro Illinois generally pays highest in the state.

What settings do PT Techs work in?

Illinois PT Techs work in outpatient physical therapy clinics, hospital rehabilitation departments, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, sports medicine centers, home health agencies, and specialty practices like pediatric or neurological PT. Outpatient clinics are the most common setting, followed by hospital-based positions.

Do I need certification to get a PT Tech job in Illinois?

Illinois does not require state licensure for PT Techs—you work under PT supervision. However, employers strongly prefer candidates with formal training and CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification demonstrates competency and significantly improves job prospects, especially at competitive employers like Northwestern Medicine and major health systems.