Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Springfield, IL: $51,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Springfield, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,827 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Springfield's local price level (BEA RPP 92.7 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,881 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($69,027) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Graduates entering the field of occupational therapy assistance in Springfield, Illinois, should prepare for a starting salary around $51,827 in 2026. This figure significantly trails the city’s median annual salary of $69,027, indicating that new professionals may need to be patient as they build their careers. Over the first three to five years, one can expect growth from this entry-level pay, potentially reaching $61,336 after gaining more experience. Given the overall market demand in Springfield and the projected 2.81% annual growth rate in this profession, new graduates should find reasonable opportunities for advancement, making this area a viable location for aspiring occupational therapy assistants.
Career Earnings Timeline in Springfield
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 Springfield
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Springfield, IL typically start between $51,827 and $61,336 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $34,688 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $69,027 — 7.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Illinois of $24,000 represents just 46.31% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($51,827/year) in Springfield. 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 Springfield
- 1Research the Springfield market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $51,827 to $61,336, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Springfield's below-average 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 Springfield is $34,688 ( 66.93%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,827, experienced hygienists can earn up to $86,515.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,490
2025 BLS Actual
$50,410
2026 Current Est.
$51,827
2019–2027 Growth
+42.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,283 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Springfield, IL grew 34.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,490 in 2019 to $50,410 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,283. New graduates entering the Springfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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 Springfield
In Springfield, various employers actively seek newly graduated occupational therapy assistants. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) tend to be prominent hiring agencies, offering robust training programs for entry-level staff, while school districts may provide summer breaks that appeal to new COTAs. Though outpatient clinics typically prefer experienced candidates, they can also provide valuable experience for new grads focusing on pediatric or hand-therapy support. To enhance starting pay in Illinois, having an Associate's degree from an ACOTE-accredited program and passing the NBCOT national exam for COTAs is essential. Given the ongoing influence of the 15% Medicare Part B cut, which has impacted service provisions since 2022, new occupational therapy assistants might encounter a tighter salary environment initially. Therefore, aiming for career development strategies like pursuing advanced practice areas through the AOTA can facilitate faster salary growth and address pay compression issues facing the industry in the early years.
More salary data for Springfield, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Springfield in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Springfield?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Springfield?
What do new occupational therapy assistants make right out of school in Springfield?
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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 Springfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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