Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Bolingbrook, IL: $30.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Bolingbrook, IL runs $30.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,085 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Bolingbrook's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,454 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bolingbrook, Illinois, stands at $30.81, which is notably lower than the national median hourly wage of $35.74. This compensation influences various work arrangements, particularly for part-time positions, where professionals might work three days a week, typically earning about $30.81/hour for their efforts in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. The hourly range for this occupation varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $20.77/hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $37.22/hour, reflecting a significant disparity in pay based on experience and specific work environments.
About the Bolingbrook Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.77 | $166.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.13 | $217.05 |
| Median (P50) | $30.81 | $246.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.25 | $265.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.22 | $297.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bolingbrook
Based on $30.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.81/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bolingbrook, IL can expect to earn approximately $64,089 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,975. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bolingbrook.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bolingbrook
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,232.49 | $5,341 | $64,089 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $739.49 | $3,204 | $38,454 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.99 | $2,136 | $25,636 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bolingbrook) | $30.81 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bolingbrook, IL earn a median of $64,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.79% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% above the Illinois state average of $63,450.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.81/hr = $38,454/year (purchasing power: $39,602).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,089/year (purchasing power: $66,003).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bolingbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bolingbrook grew 17.5% from $25.50/hr (2019) to $29.97/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.68/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bolingbrook 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Bolingbrook
For an occupational therapy assistant working part-time at 24 hours per week, the annual earnings amount to approximately $38,745, which pales in comparison to the full-time potential. The reality for per-diem and agency occupational therapy assistants, where rates can range from $30 to $45/hour, provides an alternative path; however, these roles may involve less predictable income and job security. Additionally, agencies may offer travel contracts that yield weekly compensation between $1,100 and $1,700, which can be attractive. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehab, and early intervention programs may offer lower hourly rates but provide health insurance benefits that higher-paying roles at clinics or per diem jobs might not. Those negotiating hourly pay in Bolingbrook should consider their priorities, from pay rate to benefits, while also remembering the post-2022 reimbursement cuts that affected OTA compensation.
More salary data for Bolingbrook, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bolingbrook in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Bolingbrook?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Bolingbrook paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Bolingbrook?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bolingbrook?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Bolingbrook. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bolingbrook 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