Occupational Therapy Assistants pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for occupational therapy assistants is $32.61 an hour ($67,840 a year). About 1,710 people work in this job there.

$32.61Median hourly pay
$61,730–$74,250Middle half of workers, yearly
1,710People in this job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($72,300). It is 6% higher than the Illinois median ($64,120).

Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$23.55$48,980
25% of workers$29.68$61,730
Half of workers (median)$32.61$67,840
75% of workers$35.70$74,250
90% of workers$39.69$82,560

Occupational Therapy Assistants pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page)$67,8401,710
Springfield$67,14040
Rockford$62,64040
Champaign-Urbana$60,84070
Bloomington$60,05050
Peoria$55,210100

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for occupational therapy assistants

  • Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
  • Job outlook: +21.5% over ten years, much faster than average · about 8,100 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

JobMedian yearly pay
Registered Nurses$100,490
Medical Assistants$47,270
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$78,070
Psychiatric Technicians$46,060
Massage Therapists$61,200
Respiratory Therapists$87,060
Physical Therapist Assistants$72,230

Other job titles for this job

Acute Care Occupational Therapy AssistantAcute Care Ot AssistantCertified Occupational AssistantCertified Occupational Therapist AssistantCotaCertified Occupational Therapy AssistantCertified OtaHome Health CotaLicensed Occupational Therapist AssistantLotaLicensed Occupational Therapy AssistantNursing Facility Cota

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.