Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cicero, IL: $44,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Cicero, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,247 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cicero's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,568 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,440) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the occupational therapy assistant field in Cicero can anticipate a starting occupational therapy assistant salary of approximately $44,247. This figure is considerably below the overall city median salary of $61,440, creating a notable gap that new grads should be mindful of as they begin their careers. Over the initial three to five years, new COTAs can see their pay move up the scale from this base, reaching the $52,350 mark at the 25th percentile, and aspiring towards the median as they gain experience and hone their skills. Given the competitive nature of the healthcare market in IL, particularly in suburban areas like Cicero, it is imperative for new graduates to understand both their starting salary expectations and the growth trajectory available within the field.
About the Cicero Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cicero
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cicero
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Cicero, IL typically start between $44,247 and $52,350 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $30,951 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,440 — 17.34% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Illinois of $24,000 represents just 54.24% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($44,247/year) in Cicero. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school settings.
OTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cicero
- 1Research the Cicero market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $44,247 to $52,350, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cicero, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cicero for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cicero's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Compensation Range
The occupational therapy assistant wage spread in Cicero is $30,951 ( 69.95%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,247, experienced hygienists can earn up to $75,198.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,880
2025 BLS Actual
$43,038
2026 Current Est.
$44,247
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,092 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,126 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,071 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,681 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,401 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,038 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,491 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cicero, IL grew 23.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,880 in 2019 to $43,038 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,491. New graduates entering the Cicero job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cicero metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Cicero
Looking closer at the hiring landscape in Cicero, various types of employers typically recruit new grad occupational therapy assistants, predominantly skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that are known to hire recent graduates. School districts can also be a lucrative option, offering stability with summer-off schedules, while outpatient clinics may prefer experienced COTAs but often provide on-the-job training for new hires in specialized areas like pediatric and hand therapy. To enhance their starting pay, graduates should ensure they have completed an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, passed the NBCOT national exam to obtain their COTA credential, and secured their Illinois state OTA license. In light of recent challenges, such as the 15% cut in Medicare Part B for OTA services initiated in 2022, new grads may find that while initial salaries are modest, career advancement and salary growth in the first few years hinge on building expertise, particularly under the supervision of licensed OTs and staying connected with resources like the AOTA for continuing education and practice advancement.
More salary data for Cicero, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Cicero in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Cicero?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Cicero?
What do new occupational therapy assistants make right out of school in Cicero?
How do I become a occupational therapy assistant in Illinois?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cicero. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cicero is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov