Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Wheaton, IL: $29.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Wheaton, IL runs $29.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,385 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Wheaton's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,427 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheaton, IL, the projected median hourly rate for an occupational therapy assistant is $29.99, which is significantly lower than the national median of $35.74. This hourly pay reflects the ongoing challenges in the field, particularly as part-time and per-diem workers navigate job flexibility in various settings like skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. With an hourly range starting at $22.32 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $37.61 for top earners, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Wheaton offers a spectrum that allows for different lifestyle choices. Many professionals in this area are opting for part-time roles, working three days a week, which gives them a steady income while maintaining a work-life balance.
About the Wheaton 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) | $22.32 | $178.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.09 | $208.75 |
| Median (P50) | $29.99 | $239.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.19 | $265.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.61 | $300.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheaton
Based on $29.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.99/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheaton, IL can expect to earn approximately $62,379 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,988. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheaton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheaton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,199.59 | $5,198 | $62,379 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $719.75 | $3,119 | $37,427 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $479.83 | $2,079 | $24,951 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Wheaton) | $29.99 |
| 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 Wheaton, IL earn a median of $62,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.07% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $63,464.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.99/hr = $37,427/year (purchasing power: $38,545).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,379/year (purchasing power: $64,242).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wheaton grew 17.5% from $24.82/hr (2019) to $29.17/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.83/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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton
Pursuing part-time work as an occupational therapy assistant in Wheaton can yield a practical earning potential compared to full-time opportunities. A part-timer working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, would take home approximately $37,640 annually, considerably less than that of full-time counterparts. For those considering the per diem route, pay for occupational therapy assistants can range from $30 to $45 per hour, equating to weekly contracts ranging immensely from $1,100 to $1,700. These agency positions may offer increased flexibility but often come without benefits like health insurance. Different healthcare settings dictate varied hourly rates; skilled nursing facilities may pay less in comparison to outpatient clinics or school districts where funding varies. This sets the stage for negotiation, where occupational therapy assistants in Wheaton may aim for higher pay in exchange for sacrificing benefits. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for COTAs, especially following the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022, which affects reimbursement and consequently impacts hourly rates in some environments.
More salary data for Wheaton, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wheaton in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Wheaton?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Wheaton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Wheaton?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Wheaton?
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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 Wheaton. 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 Wheaton 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