Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $44,075 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Des Plaines, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,075 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Plaines's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,391 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,364) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, Illinois, new graduate occupational therapy assistants can expect a starting salary around $44,075 in 2026, which is notably below the city’s median annual salary of $61,364. This gap highlights the common disparity between entry-level pay and the income levels achievable within a few years of experience. As COTAs progress in their careers, they can anticipate their compensation to increase, with the potential to reach the 25th percentile of $50,853 and aim for the median salary over their first three to five years. Given the projected growth in the field, with a healthy annual growth rate of 2.81%, Des Plaines presents a viable job market for recent graduates looking to start their careers in occupational therapy.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Des Plaines, IL typically start between $44,075 and $50,853 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $30,883 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,364 — 17.45% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Illinois of $24,000 represents just 54.45% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($44,075/year) in Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines
- 1Research the Des Plaines market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $44,075 to $50,853, 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 Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Plaines'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 Des Plaines is $30,883 ( 70.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,075, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,958.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,744
2025 BLS Actual
$42,870
2026 Current Est.
$44,075
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,744 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,951 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,973 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,522 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,075 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,313 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Des Plaines, IL grew 23.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,744 in 2019 to $42,870 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,313. New graduates entering the Des Plaines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
To enhance their earning potential in Des Plaines, entry-level COTAs should consider the types of employers that typically hire new graduates. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often dominate the hiring landscape, providing opportunities for hands-on experience, though they have faced challenges due to the 15% Medicare cut to OTA services initiated in 2022. School districts are another route, particularly for those seeking summer-off schedules, while outpatient clinics may prefer experienced candidates but can offer training in specialized areas such as pediatric or hand therapy for new grads. Completing an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, passing the NBCOT national exam, and obtaining state licensure are essential steps for job readiness. Newly minted COTAs in this region can expect incremental salary increases in their first few years as they navigate the foundational stages of their careers and build on their qualifications through continued education and advanced practice opportunities endorsed by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Des Plaines in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Des Plaines?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Des Plaines?
What do new occupational therapy assistants make right out of school in Des Plaines?
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 Des Plaines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Plaines 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