Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Hoffman Estates, IL: $30.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Hoffman Estates, IL runs $30.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,239 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Hoffman Estates's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,940 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hoffman Estates, occupational therapy assistant hourly pay reaches a median of $30.40, which is lower than the national average of $35.74. This discrepancy may impact those considering part-time work or per-diem roles in local facilities like skilled nursing homes, outpatient clinics, or schools. For a typical schedule of three days a week, COTAs in Hoffman Estates can expect to earn between $20.86 and $37.02 per hour, depending on their experience and the specific employer. Given the growing demand for therapy assistants in various health settings, the flexibility of part-time and per-diem opportunities could be attractive, allowing professionals to balance their workloads while still earning competitive rates estimated from annual salary data.
About the Hoffman Estates 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) | $20.86 | $166.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.13 | $201.01 |
| Median (P50) | $30.40 | $243.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.98 | $263.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.02 | $296.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hoffman Estates
Based on $30.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.40/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hoffman Estates, IL can expect to earn approximately $63,234 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,481. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hoffman Estates.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hoffman Estates
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,216.04 | $5,269 | $63,234 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $729.62 | $3,162 | $37,940 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.41 | $2,108 | $25,294 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Hoffman Estates) | $30.40 |
| 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 Hoffman Estates, IL earn a median of $63,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $63,493.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.40/hr = $37,940/year (purchasing power: $39,073).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,234/year (purchasing power: $65,122).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hoffman Estates (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Hoffman Estates grew 17.5% from $25.16/hr (2019) to $29.57/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.26/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 Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates
Occupational therapy assistants working part-time in Hoffman Estates, averaging 24 hours a week, could see their annual incomes vary significantly compared to full-time peers. While a full-time COTA might benefit from consistent income and potential benefits, part-timers may need to weigh the trade-offs between higher pay and the absence of health insurance. Per diem roles, often billing anywhere from $30 to $45 per hour, provide greater flexibility but can also come with unpredictability regarding job security. With shifts in reimbursement policies following the 15% Medicare cut affecting COTA services, pay structures in institutional settings like skilled nursing facilities might be tighter than before. Those considering diverse employment options, such as early intervention programs or home health agencies, should engage in salary negotiations that emphasize their qualifications against the demand for specialized skills, especially given the local cost of living in Hoffman Estates.
More salary data for Hoffman Estates, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Hoffman Estates in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Hoffman Estates?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Hoffman Estates paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Hoffman Estates?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Hoffman Estates?
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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 Hoffman Estates. 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 Hoffman Estates 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