Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lombard, IL: $61,504 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lombard, IL earns a median $61,504/year (≈ $29.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lombard's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $63,341 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) in Lombard, Illinois, can anticipate a median annual salary of $61,504 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for these professionals in Lombard spans from $42,741 at the 10th percentile to $75,548 at the 90th percentile. As local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data show, the pay reflects the unique structural divide within the occupational therapy field, particularly post-Medicare cuts. This variance is echoed in different settings such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals, which underscores the impact of institutional contracts on compensation. Given the ongoing adjustments in the healthcare landscape, those seeking to enter this field should weigh their options carefully, particularly as local economic conditions play a significant role in shaping salary expectations.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,741 | $20.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,797 | $26.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,504 | $29.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,482 | $32.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,548 | $36.32 |
Median Salary Position
17.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lombard
In Lombard, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,807 (2026 est.). At $61,504, the local median is 17.26% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Lombard: You'd be above the median
How Lombard Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lombard median: $61,504/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lombard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,472 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -17.26% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lombard, IL earn a median of $61,504 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.26% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.10% below the Illinois state average of $63,472.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lombard 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.
Lombard, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,504 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,341 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,895
2025 BLS Actual
$59,823
2026 Current Est.
$61,504
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,895 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,078 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,077 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,162 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,446 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,978 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,823 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,504 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lombard metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $50,895 (2019) to $59,823 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,337 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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) | $42,741 – $54,797 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,797 – $61,504 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,504 – $67,482 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,482 – $75,548 |
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 Lombard
In Lombard, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively small, with only eight COTAs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in Lombard stands at 97.1, which indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power could be more favorable. Among the local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer higher salaries, driven by increased productivity expectations and the complexities of care required. These discrepancies can also be influenced by contract terms, such as school-year versus year-round positions, as well as the reality of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services. To maximize compensation in this market, aspiring COTAs should consider aligning themselves with high-paying employers, exploring specialized certifications, or seeking opportunities in settings that value experienced assistants, taking advantage of potential weekend or PRN roles that often come with premium pay.
More salary data for Lombard, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Lombard, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Lombard?
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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 $59,823 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lombard 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 Lombard 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