Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Oak Park, IL: $30.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Oak Park, IL runs $30.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,013 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Oak Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,812 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $30.30, which is notably below the national median of $35.74. This disparity impacts part-time and per-diem workers, commonly found in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. For occupational therapy assistants, hourly wages can range from $20.60 at the lower end to $36.67 for those at the top of their field. The earning potential in Oak Park reflects broader regional economic conditions and is estimated from annual salary data, which translates into the hourly framework used for evaluating compensation in this important role.
About the Oak Park 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) | $20.60 | $164.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.72 | $213.76 |
| Median (P50) | $30.30 | $242.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.73 | $261.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.67 | $293.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Park
Based on $30.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.30/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Park, IL can expect to earn approximately $63,020 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,358. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,211.92 | $5,252 | $63,020 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $727.15 | $3,151 | $37,812 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.77 | $2,101 | $25,208 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Oak Park) | $30.30 |
| 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 Park, IL earn a median of $63,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.23% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $63,457.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.30/hr = $37,812/year (purchasing power: $38,941).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,020/year (purchasing power: $64,902).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Oak Park grew 17.5% from $25.07/hr (2019) to $29.47/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.15/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 Park 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 Park
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working three days a week, or about 24 hours, can expect to bring home an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Specifically, such a position might yield just over $37,000 per year, contrasting sharply with the earnings of full-time professionals in the field. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Oak Park typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, allowing for flexibility but varying greatly depending on the employer type. For instance, skilled nursing facility (SNF) positions may have seen a decline in agency pay rates since the 15% Medicare cut imposed in 2022, challenging some to negotiate for fair wages while balancing the need for health benefits. Those venturing into per diem or agency roles often face different hourly pay scales and must weigh the benefits of higher pay against the stability and perks that full-time positions might offer. Negotiation tips for hourly workers in Oak Park include understanding the specific demands of different employers, including schools versus rehab units, and aligning their skills with market needs accordingly.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Oak Park in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Oak Park?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Oak Park paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Oak Park?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Oak Park?
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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 Park. 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 Park 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