Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bartlett, IL: $62,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bartlett, IL earns a median $62,312/year (≈ $29.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bartlett's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,173 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Bartlett, Illinois, is projected to be $62,312, which is approximately 16.17% below the national median of $74,332. Salaries in the area range from $44,651 at the 10th percentile to $72,082 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the local job market conditions and productivity expectations that can influence compensation based on visits per day. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data alongside regional price adjustments, providing a comprehensive view of occupational therapy assistant pay in Bartlett, IL, as professionals navigate this evolving work environment.
About the Bartlett Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,651 | $21.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,717 | $25.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,312 | $29.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,996 | $32.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,082 | $34.66 |
Median Salary Position
16.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlett
In Bartlett, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,431 (2026 est.). At $62,312, the local median is 16.17% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bartlett: You'd be above the median
How Bartlett Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bartlett median: $62,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bartlett Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,454 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.17% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bartlett, IL earn a median of $62,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.17% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $63,454.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bartlett 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.
Bartlett, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,173 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,564
2025 BLS Actual
$60,609
2026 Current Est.
$62,312
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bartlett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,564 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,763 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,748 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,861 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,174 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,609 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,063 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bartlett metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,564 (2019) to $60,609 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,499 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlett 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) | $44,651 – $52,717 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,717 – $62,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,312 – $66,996 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,996 – $72,082 |
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 Bartlett
The job market in Bartlett currently supports nine occupational therapy assistants, offering a competitive yet localized earning potential amidst a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is below the national average. This index indicates that take-home pay might stretch further than in some higher-cost areas, yet it also implies a need for strategizing around employment opportunities. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics typically offer higher pay; however, the pay disparity can be attributed to varying productivity expectations and contract terms. Factors influencing income include weekend premiums and adjustments from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, significantly affecting SNFs and outpatient settings. Aspiring COTAs and current professionals must consider their approach to maximize pay, such as seeking positions in environments that offer higher hourly rates or year-round contracts compared to those that work solely during the school year.
More salary data for Bartlett, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bartlett, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bartlett?
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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 $60,609 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bartlett 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 Bartlett 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