Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in St. Charles, IL: $62,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in St. Charles, IL earns a median $62,568/year (≈ $30.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,437 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, Illinois, occupational therapy assistants can expect a median annual salary of $62,568 in 2026, which reflects the local job market's competitive nature amidst varying healthcare settings. The projected salary range spans from $45,264 at the 10th percentile to $72,728 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant pay disparities depending on the specific work environment. Factors affecting these salaries include the realities post-Medicare cuts and the distinct hierarchies between skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. As St. Charles is home to various healthcare providers, understanding these dynamics is key for those considering a career as a COTA or seeking to advance their occupational therapy assistant pay St. Charles IL.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,264 | $21.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,250 | $25.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,568 | $30.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,325 | $31.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,728 | $34.97 |
Median Salary Position
15.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,464 (2026 est.). At $62,568, the local median is 15.83% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be above the median
How St. Charles Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $62,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,457 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.83% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Charles, IL earn a median of $62,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.83% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $63,457.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles 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.
St. Charles, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,568 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,437 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,776
2025 BLS Actual
$60,858
2026 Current Est.
$62,568
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,776 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,979 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,961 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,082 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,405 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,085 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,858 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,326 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,776 (2019) to $60,858 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,326 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,550 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $45,264 – $53,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,250 – $62,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,568 – $66,325 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,325 – $72,728 |
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 St. Charles
Analyzing the local job market reveals that only seven occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in the St. Charles area, which emphasizes both the unique opportunities and challenges present. With a cost of living index at 97.1, residents enjoy a slightly lower living expense compared to the national average, enhancing their purchasing power amidst the current salary projections. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer lower wages, while hospital inpatient rehabilitation often provides the highest compensation packages. The 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for OTA services, effective since 2022, has pressured wages in outpatient and SNF settings, widening the pay gap across various environments. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing contracts in hospitals or seeking out school-based roles can be beneficial strategies, along with additional certifications that may enhance their value within the local market.
More salary data for St. Charles, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in St. Charles, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in St. Charles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in St. Charles?
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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 $60,858 for occupational therapy assistantsin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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