Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Springfield, IL: $69,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Springfield, IL earns a median $69,027/year (≈ $33.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $74,427 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Springfield, IL, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,027 in 2026, which represents a notable divergence from the national figure of $74,332. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $51,827 and the top 10% making up to $86,515. This data is drawn from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the regional economic conditions and job market dynamics. Notably, the post-Medicare cut landscape reshapes income disparities across different employment settings such as schools, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals, impacting overall compensation and job availability for occupational therapy assistants in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,827 | $24.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,336 | $29.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,027 | $33.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,295 | $38.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,515 | $41.60 |
Median Salary Position
7.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,688 (2026 est.). At $69,027, the local median is 7.14% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be above the median
How Springfield Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Springfield median: $69,027/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,502 | +8.70% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.14% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Springfield, IL earn a median of $69,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.14% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 8.70% above the Illinois state average of $63,502.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 7.25% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.745 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,027 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,427 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,780
2025 BLS Actual
$67,140
2026 Current Est.
$69,027
2019–2027 Growth
+34.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,966 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 27.2% from $52,780 (2019) to $67,140 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,966 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,186 (34.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $51,827 – $61,336 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,336 – $69,027 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,027 – $80,295 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,295 – $86,515 |
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 Springfield
In Springfield, there are approximately 40 occupational therapy assistants employed, reflecting a localized but stable job market. The cost of living index in the area stands at 92.745, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, the relative affordability of living expenses improves take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehab settings typically offer higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have been financially affected by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Salary discrepancies often arise from varying productivity expectations and scheduling flexibility in school contracts compared to outpatient clinics. For those looking to enhance their occupational therapy assistant pay in Springfield, seeking positions in rehab hospitals or extending hours during peak demand periods, such as weekends, can be effective strategies to maximize earnings in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $67,140 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Springfield 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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