Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wheeling, IL: $61,963 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Wheeling, IL earns a median $61,963/year (≈ $29.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $63,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Wheeling, Illinois, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $61,963 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332, reflecting a 16.64% decrease. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $47,002 at the entry-level (P10) to $76,852 for highly experienced individuals (P90). These projections are informed by 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local cost variations. While Wheeling presents solid opportunities for occupational therapy assistants, earning potential remains influenced by the region's specific job market conditions and the productivity expectations tied to client visits per day.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,002 | $22.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,390 | $26.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,963 | $29.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,576 | $32.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,852 | $36.95 |
Median Salary Position
16.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,850 (2026 est.). At $61,963, the local median is 16.64% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be above the median
How Wheeling Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $61,963/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,486 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.64% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $61,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $63,486.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $61,963 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,814 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,274
2025 BLS Actual
$60,269
2026 Current Est.
$61,963
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,467 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,458 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,559 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,859 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,454 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,269 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,963 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,274 (2019) to $60,269 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,430 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $47,002 – $54,390 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,390 – $61,963 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,963 – $68,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,576 – $76,852 |
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 Wheeling
In Wheeling, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively small, with only six professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 97.1, suggesting a slightly lower expense level compared to the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest pay, but shifts in service reimbursements, such as the 15% Medicare cut affecting OTA services, can compress compensation in other settings like outpatient clinics and home health agencies. To maximize earnings, COTAs should consider opportunities in settings that typically provide higher salaries, such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation and year-round contracts. Staying aware of the changing healthcare landscape, including reimbursement policies and client scheduling demands, can also contribute to better financial outcomes for occupational therapy assistants in Wheeling, IL.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $60,269 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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