Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Illinois
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Illinois earn a median of $64,120 a year ($30.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,150 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $72,300. Illinois ranks 38th of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.41 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| 25th percentile | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Median | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| 75th percentile | $73,850 | $35.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,150 | $38.54 |
| Average (mean) | $65,580 | $31.53 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants 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 | $5,343.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,671.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,466.15 |
| Weekly | $1,233.08 |
| Hourly | $30.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $67,840 | 1,710 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $67,450 | 780 |
| Springfield, IL | $67,140 | 40 |
| Rockford, IL | $62,640 | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $62,010 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,510 | 60 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $60,840 | 70 |
| Bloomington, IL | $60,050 | 50 |
| Peoria, IL | $55,210 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Orderly | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,490 | $21.87 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. 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 therapy assistant make in Illinois?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Illinois is $64,120 a year, or $30.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Illinois?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in Illinois earn at least $80,150 a year. The top 25% earn $73,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,830 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $59,460 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Illinois?
About 2,470 occupational therapy assistants are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.