Occupational Therapist salary in Illinois
Occupational Therapists in Illinois earn a median of $99,700 a year ($47.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,180 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $100,330. Illinois ranks 22nd of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 1.3 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,570, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,360 | $35.27 |
| 25th percentile | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Median | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| 75th percentile | $109,780 | $52.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,180 | $63.55 |
| Average (mean) | $99,570 | $47.87 |
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 | $8,308.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,154.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,834.62 |
| Weekly | $1,917.31 |
| Hourly | $47.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $102,810 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,860 | 5,960 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $98,990 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $96,920 | 190 |
| Rockford, IL | $96,620 | 130 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $95,770 | 1,860 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $94,250 | 50 |
| Bloomington, IL | $90,060 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $87,390 | 170 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $245,120 | $117.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for occupational therapists in Illinois is $99,700 a year, or $47.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in Illinois earn at least $132,180 a year. The top 25% earn $109,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,360 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $82,070 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Illinois?
About 7,710 occupational therapists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.