Occupational Therapist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Occupational Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $99,860 a year ($48.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,160 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $100,330. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $99,700. There are 1.3 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
| 25th percentile | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Median | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| 75th percentile | $111,170 | $53.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,160 | $65.46 |
| Average (mean) | $101,400 | $48.75 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,321.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,160.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,840.77 |
| Weekly | $1,920.38 |
| Hourly | $48.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $102,810 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $100,870 | 1,360 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $100,080 | 1,660 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $100,040 | 710 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $98,990 | 70 |
| Bloomington, IN | $97,480 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $96,920 | 190 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $96,740 | 110 |
| Rockford, IL | $96,620 | 130 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $95,770 | 1,860 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $94,410 | 60 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $94,250 | 50 |
| Muncie, IN | $94,050 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $92,680 | 140 |
| Kokomo, IN | $92,320 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IL | $90,060 | 80 |
| Evansville, IN | $89,850 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $87,390 | 170 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $86,580 | 300 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $84,960 | 50 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $80,040 | 120 |
| Kankakee, IL | $79,620 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Veterinarian | $148,730 | $71.51 |
| Chiropractor | $72,440 | $34.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $99,860 a year, or $48.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $136,160 a year. The top 25% earn $111,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,900 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $82,390 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 5,960 occupational therapists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.