Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Galesburg, IL: $60,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Galesburg, IL earns a median $60,214/year (≈ $28.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,012 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, Illinois, the compensation for occupational therapy assistants is projected to have a median annual salary of $60,214 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap when compared to the national median of $74,332, highlighting regional earning disparities. Local salaries range from $44,730 at the lower end (P10) to $73,645 at the higher end (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living differences, reflect the unique market dynamics at play in Galesburg, where the job market for occupational therapy assistants is currently modest, with just four professionals employed in the area.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,730 | $21.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,109 | $25.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,214 | $28.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,872 | $31.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,645 | $35.41 |
Median Salary Position
18.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,915 (2026 est.). At $60,214, the local median is 18.99% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be above the median
How Galesburg Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $60,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,450 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -18.99% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $60,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.99% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $63,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $60,214 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,012 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,827
2025 BLS Actual
$58,568
2026 Current Est.
$60,214
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,827 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,986 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,006 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,047 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,283 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,568 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,906 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $49,827 (2019) to $58,568 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,906 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,079 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,730 – $52,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,109 – $60,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,214 – $65,872 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,872 – $73,645 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Galesburg
The cost of living index in Galesburg stands at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, impacting the real purchasing power of occupational therapy assistant pay in Galesburg, IL. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer the most competitive salaries, although the spread between lower and higher pay can be considerable. Factors such as setting—where positions in hospitals generally pay more than those in schools or skilled nursing facilities—productivity expectations, and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on salaries for OTA services all contribute to this disparity. For those in Galesburg looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing positions in higher-paying settings, negotiating contracts that capitalize on weekend or PRN work, and considering the potential for advancement to a Master’s level (COTA-to-MOT bridge) can provide pathways to increased pay and job satisfaction in this evolving field.
More salary data for Galesburg, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Galesburg, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Galesburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Galesburg?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,568 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Galesburg metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Galesburg 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