Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Hoffman Estates, IL: $63,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Hoffman Estates, IL earns a median $63,239/year (≈ $30.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Hoffman Estates's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $65,128 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated occupational therapy assistant salary in Hoffman Estates is projected to be $63,239 per year. This figure falls considerably below the national median of $74,332, reflecting a challenging environment for COTAs in the area. The local salary range stretches from $43,382 to $77,006, indicating a substantial variance in compensation levels. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional conditions, highlight the economic realities faced by occupational therapy assistants in different healthcare settings. With significant shifts due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, especially affecting skilled nursing facilities, the job market now requires COTAs to consider various employment sectors, including schools and outpatient clinics, to optimize their earnings.
About the Hoffman Estates Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,382 | $20.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,261 | $25.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,239 | $30.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,605 | $32.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,006 | $37.02 |
Median Salary Position
14.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hoffman Estates
In Hoffman Estates, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,624 (2026 est.). At $63,239, the local median is 14.92% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Hoffman Estates: You'd be above the median
How Hoffman Estates Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Hoffman Estates median: $63,239/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hoffman Estates Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,493 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.92% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hoffman Estates, IL earn a median of $63,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $63,493.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hoffman Estates 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.
Hoffman Estates, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,239 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,128 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,331
2025 BLS Actual
$61,511
2026 Current Est.
$63,239
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Hoffman Estates (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,548 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,662 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,783 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,511 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,016 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hoffman Estates metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,331 (2019) to $61,511 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,016 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,685 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hoffman Estates 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) | $43,382 – $52,261 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,261 – $63,239 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,239 – $68,605 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,605 – $77,006 |
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 Hoffman Estates
The workforce in Hoffman Estates currently includes eight occupational therapy assistants, and the local cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries may be lower, the purchasing power remains manageable. Notably, higher-paying opportunities tend to arise in outpatient rehab and hospital settings, where employers may offer more generous compensation compared to school contracts or skilled nursing facilities, which are still grappling with recent pay cuts. Factors contributing to the wide salary dispersion include productivity expectations, the impact of work settings, and potential pay premiums for weekend or PRN hours. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Hoffman Estates, pursuing positions in areas with higher demand, such as hospitals, and considering year-round contracts may prove beneficial. Additionally, navigating the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways could open further avenues for professional advancement and increased remuneration, enhancing career prospects in this evolving field.
More salary data for Hoffman Estates, 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
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 $61,511 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates 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