Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Urbana, IL: $29.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Urbana, IL runs $29.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,322 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Urbana's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,389 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Urbana, Illinois, is projected to be $29.96, which is noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate translates to approximately $600 for a part-time worker putting in three days a week, catering to the needs of patients in various settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. The hourly wage for entry-level occupational therapy assistants starts at around $23.16, while experienced professionals could make up to $36.65 per hour, depending on their workplace and level of expertise. This salary range reflects current trends, as compensation is primarily estimated from annual salary data, aligning with the economic landscape outlined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About the Urbana 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) | $23.16 | $185.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.60 | $212.78 |
| Median (P50) | $29.96 | $239.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.79 | $262.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.65 | $293.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbana
Based on $29.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.96/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbana, IL can expect to earn approximately $62,314 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,951. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,198.35 | $5,193 | $62,314 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $719.01 | $3,116 | $37,389 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $479.34 | $2,077 | $24,926 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Urbana) | $29.96 |
| 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 Urbana, IL earn a median of $62,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.16% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $63,465.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.96/hr = $37,389/year (purchasing power: $38,505).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,314/year (purchasing power: $64,175).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Urbana grew 17.5% from $24.79/hr (2019) to $29.14/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.80/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 Urbana 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 Urbana
For those considering a part-time role, an occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week could anticipate an annual take-home pay that falls significantly short of full-time colleagues, highlighting the value of steady employment. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Urbana typically ranges between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering a competitive $1,100 to $1,700 weekly—with demand fluctuating post-2022 due to regulation changes like the 15% Medicare cut, impacting reimbursement within skilled nursing facilities. Earnings also depend on the type of employer; positions in public schools or outpatient clinics may offer lower hourly rates, but often come with health insurance benefits that might be worth the trade-off. Occupational therapy assistants should enter negotiations equipped with an understanding of local pay scales while recognizing that flexibility and additional perks can sometimes outweigh higher hourly wages offered elsewhere in IL.
More salary data for Urbana, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Urbana in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Urbana?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Urbana paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Urbana?
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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 Urbana. 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 Urbana 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