Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Berwyn, IL: $62,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Berwyn, IL earns a median $62,722/year (≈ $30.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Berwyn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Berwyn is $62,722, which reflects a notable decrease compared to the national median of $74,332. This salary range spans from $42,200 at the 10th percentile to $75,342 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the various earning potentials within this profession. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, this compensation is influenced by local market dynamics and cost-of-living adjustments in the area. For those considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge, it’s important to recognize how advancing education can positively impact lifetime earnings, particularly as they seek to navigate competitive and diverse work settings such as skilled nursing facilities and schools in Berwyn.
About the Berwyn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,200 | $20.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,978 | $26.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,722 | $30.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,424 | $32.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,342 | $36.22 |
Median Salary Position
15.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berwyn
In Berwyn, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,142 (2026 est.). At $62,722, the local median is 15.62% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Berwyn: You'd be above the median
How Berwyn Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Berwyn median: $62,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Berwyn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,484 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.62% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Berwyn, IL earn a median of $62,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.62% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% below the Illinois state average of $63,484.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Berwyn 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.
Berwyn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,722 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,595 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,903
2025 BLS Actual
$61,008
2026 Current Est.
$62,722
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Berwyn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,903 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,544 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,245 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,008 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berwyn metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,903 (2019) to $61,008 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,582 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berwyn 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) | $42,200 – $54,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,978 – $62,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,722 – $67,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,424 – $75,342 |
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 Berwyn
The local job market currently employs 12 occupational therapy assistants, indicating a small but stable presence in Berwyn's healthcare landscape. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, the purchasing power for these salaries may not stretch as far as in higher-cost regions, informing both spending habits and savings potential for residents. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities may offer some of the highest pay, with hospitals and outpatient clinics also providing competitive compensation. Wage disparities are driven by factors including productivity expectations, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, and the differences between contracts for school-year work versus year-round positions. To maximize pay in Berwyn, navigating these employment settings and pursuing specialized skills can open doors to higher salaries and more lucrative opportunities in the long term.
More salary data for Berwyn, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Berwyn?
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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 $61,008 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Berwyn 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 Berwyn 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