Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Park Ridge, IL: $61,031 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Park Ridge, IL earns a median $61,031/year (≈ $29.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Park Ridge's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant in Park Ridge, Illinois, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,031. This figure reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, including regional cost adjustments. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $46,674 and more experienced professionals reaching up to $74,058. These salaries are positioned below the national average for occupational therapy assistants, which stands at $74,332. As professionals consider the COTA-to-MOT bridge options for further education, it’s essential to recognize that advancing in this field can also enhance lifetime earnings, making continued education a valuable investment even in a market with a conservative growth rate of 2.81%.
About the Park Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,674 | $22.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,805 | $25.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,031 | $29.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,118 | $30.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,058 | $35.60 |
Median Salary Position
17.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Park Ridge
In Park Ridge, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,384 (2026 est.). At $61,031, the local median is 17.89% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Park Ridge: You'd be above the median
How Park Ridge Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Park Ridge median: $61,031/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Park Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,508 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -17.89% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $61,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.89% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.90% below the Illinois state average of $63,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Park Ridge 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.
Park Ridge, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,031 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,854 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,504
2025 BLS Actual
$59,363
2026 Current Est.
$61,031
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,504 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,678 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,684 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,753 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,486 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,363 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,031 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Park Ridge metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $50,504 (2019) to $59,363 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,242 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Park Ridge 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) | $46,674 – $53,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,805 – $61,031 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,031 – $64,118 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,118 – $74,058 |
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 Park Ridge
The job market in Park Ridge currently supports a small group of just seven occupational therapy assistants, highlighting a relatively niche field in the area. The local cost-of-living index of 97.1 indicates that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, purchasing power remains reasonable. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings tend to offer the highest compensation, whereas schools and outpatient clinics often present more modest pay scales. Factors contributing to salary disparities include varied productivity expectations, contractual agreements, and recent changes such as the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services. To maximize pay potential in Park Ridge, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider securing positions in higher-paying settings and exploring contracts that may offer additional bonuses for weekend or PRN shifts.
More salary data for Park Ridge, 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 $59,363 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge 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