Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Oak Lawn, IL: $29.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Oak Lawn, IL runs $29.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,853 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Oak Lawn's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,106 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Lawn, Illinois, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be around $29.73 in 2026. This figure sits significantly lower than the national hourly median of $35.74, indicating that local pay may be influenced by the area's cost of living and demand for services. Occupational therapy assistants working in various environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics can expect a range from $21.61 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $36.79 for experienced professionals (90th percentile). For part-time workers clocking in three days a week, this hourly rate allows flexibility in managing schedules and potential for additional per-diem work, which is often available across a spectrum of settings including home health visits and school therapy rooms.
About the Oak Lawn 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) | $21.61 | $172.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.92 | $199.37 |
| Median (P50) | $29.73 | $237.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.60 | $260.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.79 | $294.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Lawn
Based on $29.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.73/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Lawn, IL can expect to earn approximately $61,844 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,679. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Lawn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Lawn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,189.31 | $5,154 | $61,844 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $713.58 | $3,092 | $37,106 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.72 | $2,061 | $24,738 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Oak Lawn) | $29.73 |
| 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 Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $61,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $63,504.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.73/hr = $37,106/year (purchasing power: $38,215).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,844/year (purchasing power: $63,691).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Oak Lawn grew 17.5% from $24.60/hr (2019) to $28.92/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.57/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 Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn
Considering the earning potential, a 24-hour workweek translates to around $46,368 annually for a part-time occupational therapy assistant in Oak Lawn. In comparison to full-time roles, this might be a more appealing option for those seeking work-life balance. For per-diem positions, the pay can range from $30 to $45 per hour, with some travel contracts offering weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700. However, it's worth noting that after the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut implemented in 2022, some occupational therapy assistants may find agency pay in skilled nursing facilities taking a hit. Employers in Oak Lawn, including outpatient clinics and school districts, often provide varied hourly rates depending on health benefits offered. Many COTAs might opt for lower hourly wages that include health insurance, while others might chase higher hourly rates without benefits. Negotiating pay rates can be beneficial in this area by highlighting specific experiences or skills that align with employers' needs.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Oak Lawn in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Oak Lawn?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Oak Lawn paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Oak Lawn?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Oak Lawn?
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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 Oak Lawn. 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 Oak Lawn 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