Therapy recruiting · Illinois
Illinois physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiters
APT Recruiting fills PT, OT, SLP and audiology roles for hospitals, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics and schools in Illinois. Below is the current federal picture of the Illinois therapy workforce, what it is paid, where it works and how licensing across state lines applies, the same numbers we use when we take a search.
Therapy workforce
Who practices in Illinois today
12,191
Physical therapists
+ 2,701 PTAs
5,896
Occupational therapists
+ 1,534 OTAs
10,319
Speech-language pathologists
891
Audiologists
Per 100,000 residents, Illinois has 95.8 physical therapists, 46.4 occupational therapists, 81.1 speech-language pathologists and 7.0 audiologists.
Over the last 12 months the registry added 473 physical therapists, 255 occupational therapists, 454 speech-language pathologists and 32 audiologists with a practice address in Illinois, plus 150 PTAs and OTAs. Newly enumerated providers are mostly new graduates and clinicians relocating in, which is the pool every open seat in Illinois is competing for.
Source: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain).
Pay
What therapists earn in Illinois
| Role | Employed | Mean annual wage | Median | National mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical therapists | 9,800 | $109,080 | $105,250 | $105,280 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 4,890 | $65,810 | $65,240 | $68,730 |
| Occupational therapists | 7,710 | $99,570 | $99,700 | $101,280 |
| Occupational therapy assistants | 2,470 | $65,580 | $64,120 | $70,710 |
| Speech-language pathologists | 9,040 | $92,660 | $95,080 | $98,170 |
| Audiologists | 330 | $99,730 | $93,510 | $97,740 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates. Suppressed cells show n/a.
Where therapists work
The employers in Illinois
Therapy offices and clinics
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists and audiologists.
22,494 employed across 1,614 establishments, employment up 4.0% year over year and the establishment count up 4.3%.
Average weekly wage $1,072, about $55,744 a year in sector payroll terms, up 0.6% year over year.
Home health
Home health care services.
76,355 employed across 1,594 establishments, employment up 6.6% year over year and the establishment count up 9.5%.
Average weekly wage $717, about $37,284 a year in sector payroll terms, up 3.8% year over year.
Nursing facilities
Skilled nursing and nursing care facilities.
70,213 employed across 803 establishments, employment down 2.4% year over year and the establishment count down 9.1%.
Average weekly wage $974, about $50,648 a year in sector payroll terms, up 4.4% year over year.
Hospitals
General medical and surgical hospitals.
253,806 employed across 482 establishments, employment up 2.8% year over year and the establishment count up 11.1%.
Average weekly wage $1,783, about $92,716 a year in sector payroll terms, up 4.1% year over year.
Source: BLS QCEW, statewide, private ownership, Q4 2024 vs Q4 2025.
Facilities
666 Medicare-certified nursing homes and 530 home health agencies in Illinois.
Nursing homes
666 facilities with 84,984 certified beds. Average overall CMS star rating 2.5 of 5. 80.9% are for-profit. Every one of them bills therapy minutes, and every one of them is hiring PTs, OTs and SLPs in the same market you are.
Home health agencies
530 agencies, average quality-of-care star rating 3.1 of 5. 100% offer physical therapy, 98.2% occupational therapy and 94.5% speech therapy, so most are staffing at least one therapy discipline and many all three.
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (nursing homes 4pq5-n9py, home health 6jpm-sxkc), pulled 2026-10-15.
Tell us about the openingLicensure compacts
Hiring across state lines into Illinois
Not a member
Physical Therapy Compact
Illinois is not a member of the PT Compact: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another state need a full Illinois license before starting.
All states on the PT Compact →Not a member
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
Illinois is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Illinois license before starting.
All states on the OT Compact →Not a member
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
Illinois is not a member of the ASLP-IC: audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed in another state need a full Illinois license before starting.
All states on the ASLP-IC →Source: ptcompact.org, otcompact.gov, aslpcompact.com, checked 2026-09-02.
For employers
Hiring in Illinois? Physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiting, run by a clinician.
Engagement model
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
Speed to first candidates
Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Guarantee
Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Questions hiring managers and directors of rehab ask us
How does a therapy search with APT Recruiting work in Illinois?+
It starts with a short call to take the brief: the discipline, the setting, the caseload and productivity expectations, the schedule and the pay range. Because APT is run by a licensed speech-language pathologist, the screen covers clinical fit, not just a license check. We then work the Illinois market for PTs, OTs, SLPs or audiologists who match, confirm interest, and send you candidates who have already said yes to a conversation about your organization. Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Do you work on contingency or retained?+
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
What does it cost to hire through a therapy recruiter?+
Agreed in writing before you see a candidate's details. Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Which roles and settings do you cover?+
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including PTAs, COTAs and SLPAs, plus directors of rehab and other therapy leadership. Settings in Illinois include hospitals and acute rehab, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics, schools and pediatrics, and telehealth. We also recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Or email molly@aptrecruiting.com. Molly reads every brief herself.
Reviewed by a licensed SLP
Molly Salinas, M.S., CCC-SLP
The Illinois figures on this page are drawn from public federal sources and reviewed by Molly, a licensed speech-language pathologist who has worked across healthcare settings and founded APT Recruiting. She has recruited therapists for 3 years and works from Austin, Texas. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
Metros
Therapy recruiting by metro in Illinois
Hiring in Illinois?
Tell us the discipline, the setting and the pay range. We will give you an honest read on the market before the search starts.