Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $62,465 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $62,465/year (≈ $30.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is $62,465. This figure reflects the impact of current employment trends within different care structures such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals, especially in light of the post-Medicare cut realities that have influenced pay rates across various sectors. The full salary range for this profession in the area spans from $46,617 at the 10th percentile to $78,492 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and have been adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations, providing context for potential earnings in Arlington Heights's competitive job market.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,617 | $22.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,446 | $26.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,465 | $30.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,223 | $33.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,492 | $37.74 |
Median Salary Position
15.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,875 (2026 est.). At $62,465, the local median is 15.96% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be above the median
How Arlington Heights Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $62,465/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,481 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.96% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $62,465 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.96% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $63,481.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights 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.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,465 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,331 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,691
2025 BLS Actual
$60,758
2026 Current Est.
$62,465
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,691 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,892 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,875 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,312 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,978 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,758 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,465 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,221 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,691 (2019) to $60,758 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,221 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,530 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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) | $46,617 – $54,446 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,446 – $62,465 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,465 – $69,223 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,223 – $78,492 |
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 Arlington Heights
The local job market employs 18 occupational therapy assistants, which indicates a relatively stable demand for this role in Arlington Heights. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, those entering the field may find their take-home pay stretches further compared to many other metropolitan areas. Positions in hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings generally offer the highest compensation, likely due to the rigorous productivity expectations and the need for specialized skills. In contrast, roles in schools may provide lower salaries with predictable hours, balancing work-life considerations for many. Factors such as weekend premiums, pay structures for PRN work, and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut further contribute to the pay disparity. Making the most of this market often requires seeking opportunities in environments like hospitals or targeting contracts with home health agencies, where demand remains strong and compensation can be optimized.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, 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 $60,758 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights 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