Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bolingbrook, IL: $64,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bolingbrook, IL earns a median $64,085/year (≈ $30.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bolingbrook's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $65,999 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Bolingbrook, Illinois, is $64,085, reflecting the local market conditions shaped by regional economic factors and cost adjustments. Salaries for this role will range from $43,207 at the lower end (P10) to $77,420 at the higher end (P90). This compensation compares unfavorably to the national median of $74,332, indicating a local earning potential that is approximately 13.79% lower. The presence of occupations bridging certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) to master’s level programs (MOTs) can significantly influence lifetime earnings, making it an essential consideration for career advancement. In Bolingbrook, where the job market for these professionals is relatively stable, those entering the field can have a clearer sense of their financial prospects.
About the Bolingbrook Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,207 | $20.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,435 | $27.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,085 | $30.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,153 | $33.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,420 | $37.22 |
Median Salary Position
13.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bolingbrook
In Bolingbrook, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,213 (2026 est.). At $64,085, the local median is 13.79% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bolingbrook: You'd be above the median
How Bolingbrook Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bolingbrook median: $64,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bolingbrook Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,450 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.79% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bolingbrook, IL earn a median of $64,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.79% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% above the Illinois state average of $63,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bolingbrook 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.
Bolingbrook, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,999 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,030
2025 BLS Actual
$62,333
2026 Current Est.
$64,085
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bolingbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,263 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,393 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,662 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,333 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,885 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bolingbrook metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,030 (2019) to $62,333 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,885 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,855 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bolingbrook 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) | $43,207 – $56,435 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,435 – $64,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,085 – $69,153 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,153 – $77,420 |
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 Bolingbrook
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Bolingbrook consists of about 19 individuals currently employed in this capacity. While the cost of living index stands at 97.1, indicating a slightly lower-than-average living expense relative to the national average, this factor plays a critical role in determining take-home pay. Among the various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay compared to schools and outpatient clinics, despite the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on earnings within certain environments. Factors influencing salary variance include weekend and PRN premiums, productivity expectations, and differences between year-round contracts and those limited to the school year. To maximize earning potential in Bolingbrook, occupational therapy assistants should consider pursuing advanced certifications, gaining experience in high-paying settings, and negotiating their contracts proactively.
More salary data for Bolingbrook, 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 $62,333 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bolingbrook 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 Bolingbrook 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