Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Chicago, IL and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$77,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$71,963 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$63,202 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $101,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $77,770▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $129,280▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $161,600▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,963▲ | $54,011 | +$17,952 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,626 | $86,931▲ | -$19,305 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,202▲ | $46,487 | +$16,715 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 102,000 | -49,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $24,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($71,963 vs $54,011 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.