Blue Bird Day logo
Blue Bird Day
Chicago, Illinois

Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) - Chicago (WL)

Physical TherapistNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$74k-$85k

The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 2h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) – Therapeutic Preschool and Kindergarten Program

1233 W. Adams St. Chicago, IL 60607 | Clinic-Based | Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM - no evenings or weekends.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Total Compensation Package: Valued between $91,000–$105,000.
  • Annual Salary: $74,000–$85,000, based on experience and qualifications.
  • Annual Increases: Annual merit-based increases.
  • Comprehensive Benefits Packages: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and employee assistance programs.
  • Paid time off and holidays: Generous PTO, 7 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday.
  • Growth and Learning: Continuing education and approved CEUs with annual reimbursement increases.

Professional Advancement: Opportunities to develop skills and take on additional leadership responsibilities, including: Department Head, Department Lead, Onboarder, and CPI Instructor, CPR Instructor

Mentorship and Supervision: Opportunities to mentor others within your department in addition to student supervision

401(k) Retirement Plan: Available for all employees; company match $1 for $1 for first 3% and $.50 for $1 up to another 2%.

Flexibility For New Parents

Apply today at threebirdsonemission.com/careers to join our mission of empowering children with neurodiverse needs to succeed!

Job Description Summary

As a Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) at Blue Bird Day, you will provide physical therapy to children ages 2-7 years old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and other neurodiverse needs. You'll foster each child's mobility, gross motor development, and functional independence growth.

Responsibilities

  • Provide individualized and rotation therapy.
  • Implement therapeutic approaches such as DIR/Floortime, Developmental Treatment, Motor Skills Acquisition, and Intentional Relationship Model (IRM).
  • Collaborate daily with occupational and speech therapists and social workers.
  • Document progress and communicating with families to support continuity of care.

Knowledge and Skills Required

  • Master's or Doctorate Degree of Physical Therapy
  • Active Illinois Licensed Physical Therapist license through IDFPR
  • Experience providing PT services to children with autism and/or other neurodevelopmental differences

Working Environment and Physical Demands

  • Ability to lift at least 35 lbs, including but not limited to lifting children, therapy equipment etc.
  • Ability to walk and/or run if needed to keep clients safe.
  • Ability to implement behavior management techniques, based on training provided by the company.
  • Ability to use hands and arms to prepare and perform required therapy tasks.
  • Ability to utilize keyboard, desktop, and ipad to complete documentation required for funders.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Why Join Blue Bird Day?

Blue Bird Day is a leading specialized intensive pediatric therapeutic day program in Chicago, IL. We provide a supportive, team-oriented culture that allows you to focus on helping children in a play-based setting. You'll make an impact by collaborating with a multidisciplinary team in a clinic that prioritizes growth and evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Blue Bird Day is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. As such, it is the policy of the Company that hiring, training, employment advancement, compensation, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment shall be determined without regard to race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, arrest record (or criminal history record ordered expunged, sealed, or impounded), or as otherwise prohibited by law.

Requirements

Requires a Master's or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy and an active Illinois state license. Candidates must have experience providing physical therapy services to children with autism or other neurodevelopmental differences.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Pediatric physical therapyMultidisciplinary collaborationAutism spectrum disorder supportSensory processing disorder support

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) - Chicago (WL) at Blue Bird Day a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Pediatrics (Physical Therapy) — ranked against 503 active Pediatrics (Physical Therapy) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Pediatrics — Physical Therapist Career Context

Of the 50 active Pediatrics listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% have no call, 74% require no weekends.

Pediatrics pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$80k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $80k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Physical Therapist Jobs

34 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution34 jobs · 21 employers

7
<$100k
9
$100k-110k
12
$110k-120k
4
$120k
2
$130k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks34 jobs · 21 employers

401k / retirement match
94% this job
CME allowance
74% this job
Sign-on bonus
53%
Loan repayment
29%
Visa sponsorship
12%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Physical Therapist (PT), Outpatient Rehab - Part Time (16 hrs/week), Barrington

Virtua Health · Barrington, Illinois

$84k-$131k
#2

Physical Therapist (PT)- Chicago - Salaried Full-Time

Home Care Providers Group · Willowbrook, Illinois

Salary Range: $90.00
#3

Physical Therapist (New Grad Mentor Program) - Brookfield, CT

$70k-$120k
#4

Physical Therapist (New Grad Mentor Program) - Norwalk, CT

$70k-$120k
+ 32 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 6.4
Better work-life than 70% of Pediatrics (Physical Therapy) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 503 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k≈ 4.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo≈ 38% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Blue Bird Day logo

About Blue Bird Day

Individual and Family Services
Chicago, Illinois
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Life and disability insurance
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employee assistance programs
Generous PTO
7 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday
Continuing education and approved CEUs with annual reimbursement increases
401(k) with company match ($1 for $1 for first 3% and $.50 for $1 up to another 2%)