Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Park Ridge, IL: $29.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Park Ridge, IL runs $29.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,031 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Park Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,619 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Park Ridge, Illinois, the projected hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants is $29.34, which falls below the national median of $35.74 per hour. This rate influences part-time opportunities, especially for those working three days a week in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, or schools. With an entry-level hourly rate around $22.44 and a peak rate reaching $35.60 for experienced professionals, COTAs can find substantial flexibility in their roles. The estimated hourly rates stem from the statistical analysis of annual salaries in the region, reflecting the overall economic conditions and specific job market dynamics of Park Ridge.
About the Park Ridge 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) | $22.44 | $179.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.87 | $206.94 |
| Median (P50) | $29.34 | $234.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.82 | $246.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.60 | $284.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Park Ridge
Based on $29.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.34/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Park Ridge, IL can expect to earn approximately $61,031 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,210. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Park Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Park Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,173.68 | $5,086 | $61,031 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $704.21 | $3,052 | $36,619 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.47 | $2,034 | $24,413 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Park Ridge) | $29.34 |
| 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 Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $61,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.90% below the Illinois state average of $63,508.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.34/hr = $36,619/year (purchasing power: $37,712).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,031/year (purchasing power: $62,854).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Park Ridge grew 17.5% from $24.28/hr (2019) to $28.54/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.17/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 Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge
Part-time occupational therapy assistants, working around 24 hours weekly, can expect a take-home income significantly less than that of their full-time counterparts, limiting annual earnings potential. Many COTAs choose per-diem opportunities, presenting a valuable alternative. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Park Ridge ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, while travel contracts can command weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700. However, compensation often varies depending on the employer type; skilled nursing facilities and school districts might offer lower hourly rates compared to outpatient clinics. In this marketplace, some COTAs might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating in Park Ridge, emphasizing specialized skills and experience can be essential in securing better hourly compensation, particularly as the field adjusts to ongoing reimbursement challenges.
More salary data for Park Ridge, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Park Ridge. 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 Park Ridge 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