Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $67,840 a year ($32.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,560 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 6% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $64,120. There are 0.38 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 25th percentile | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Median | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| 75th percentile | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,560 | $39.69 |
| Average (mean) | $68,150 | $32.76 |
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 | $5,653.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,826.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,609.23 |
| Weekly | $1,304.62 |
| Hourly | $32.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne, IN | $73,130 | 100 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $71,930 | 60 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $68,230 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $67,840 | 170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $67,460 | 480 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $67,450 | 780 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $67,290 | 700 |
| Springfield, IL | $67,140 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $66,200 | 120 |
| Rockford, IL | $62,640 | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $62,010 | 60 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,700 | 50 |
| 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 |
See Occupational Therapy Assistant pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $43,270 | $20.81 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $39,280 | $18.88 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Orderly | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
More: Healthcare Support 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 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $67,840 a year, or $32.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $82,560 a year. The top 25% earn $74,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,980 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $61,730 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,710 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.