Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Streamwood, IL: $29.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Streamwood, IL runs $29.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,671 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Streamwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,401 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant in Streamwood can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $29.17, which falls below the national median of $35.74. This discrepancy means that part-time workers, such as those engaged for three days a week, would earn their living working in various environments like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. Individuals starting out in this career can make approximately $22.02 an hour, while experienced practitioners may reach rates up to $36.02 per hour. Such hourly pay reflects the projected estimates based on annual salary data, showcasing the potential earnings available in this vital healthcare role within the local context of Streamwood.
About the Streamwood 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) | $22.02 | $176.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.51 | $204.06 |
| Median (P50) | $29.17 | $233.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.21 | $257.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.02 | $288.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Streamwood
Based on $29.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.17/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Streamwood, IL can expect to earn approximately $60,668 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,001. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Streamwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Streamwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,166.69 | $5,056 | $60,668 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.01 | $3,033 | $36,401 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.68 | $2,022 | $24,267 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Streamwood) | $29.17 |
| 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 Streamwood, IL earn a median of $60,671 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.38% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.40% below the Illinois state average of $63,464.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.17/hr = $36,401/year (purchasing power: $37,488).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,668/year (purchasing power: $62,480).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Streamwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Streamwood grew 17.5% from $24.14/hr (2019) to $28.37/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.99/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 Streamwood 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 Streamwood
Regarding the annual income implications, a part-time occupational therapy assistant in Streamwood, working 24 hours a week, could take home around $45,588 annually, significantly lower than full-time earnings. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Streamwood typically falls within the range of $30 to $45 per hour, providing flexibility for those interested in agency or locum work. However, travel contracts for COTAs may offer substantial weekly compensation between $1,100 and $1,700, although premium pay in skilled nursing facilities has seen adjustments following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut initiated in 2022. Various employer types, such as outpatient clinics and early intervention programs, may present differing hourly rates, thus influencing job decision-making. Some occupational therapy assistants might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, a common trade-off in the field. For those negotiating hourly pay, it’s beneficial to research specific employer compensation trends within Streamwood to ensure competitive offers are secured.
More salary data for Streamwood, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Streamwood in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Streamwood?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Streamwood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Streamwood?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Streamwood?
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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 Streamwood. 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 Streamwood 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