Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $30.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Rockford, IL runs $30.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,400 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,633 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Rockford, Illinois, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $30.96, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate translates into varied earning potential, making it feasible for part-time and per-diem workers to find flexible opportunities in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. Entry-level positions typically start at $22.98 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $38.54 per hour, according to official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. As a result, the income potential for occupational therapy assistants in Rockford reflects regional dynamics and employment availability.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.98 | $183.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.39 | $235.15 |
| Median (P50) | $30.96 | $247.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.93 | $303.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.54 | $308.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $30.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.96/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $64,389 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,147. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,238.24 | $5,366 | $64,389 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $742.95 | $3,219 | $38,633 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $495.30 | $2,146 | $25,755 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Rockford) | $30.96 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rockford, IL earn a median of $64,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.36% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% above the Illinois state average of $63,448.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.96/hr = $38,633/year (purchasing power: $41,922).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,389/year (purchasing power: $69,871).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Rockford grew 17.5% from $25.62/hr (2019) to $30.11/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.83/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Rockford
When considering part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant putting in a 24-hour week could take home around $38,205 annually, compared to full-time colleagues who enjoy significantly higher salaries. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Rockford can vary widely, with many billing between $30 and $45 per hour for temporary assignments, and travel positions yielding contracts ranging from $1,100 to $1,700 per week. Given that hourly rates fluctuate based on employer type, some may find higher compensation in outpatient clinics, while positions in skilled nursing facilities, constrained by earlier Medicare Part B cuts, often offer lower wages. As occupational therapy assistants evaluate job offers, negotiating for higher rates can be critical; those willing to forgo benefits might secure better pay, while others may opt for positions that offer essential health insurance. Understanding the 2026 landscape will help local COTAs make informed choices about their career paths in Rockford, IL.
More salary data for Rockford, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Rockford in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Rockford. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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