Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Carbondale, IL: $59,454 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Carbondale, IL earns a median $59,454/year (≈ $28.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Carbondale's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,230 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Carbondale, Illinois, can anticipate a median annual salary of $59,454 in 2026, reflecting local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments. The salary range is projected to be between $47,380 (at the 10th percentile) to $70,351 (at the 90th percentile). These figures highlight a competitive earning potential in light of the national landscape, where the average occupational therapy assistant salary is significantly higher at $74,332 annually. The evolving healthcare environment and productivity expectations are instrumental in shaping compensation, where effective caseloads and visits-per-day play a key role in salary outcomes. Carbondale's job market appears ripe for continued growth, underpinned by a localized demand for skilled occupational therapy assistants.
About the Carbondale Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,638 | $25.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,454 | $28.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,089 | $30.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,351 | $33.82 |
Median Salary Position
20.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carbondale
In Carbondale, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,971 (2026 est.). At $59,454, the local median is 20.02% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Carbondale: You'd be above the median
How Carbondale Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Carbondale median: $59,454/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carbondale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,451 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -20.02% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Carbondale, IL earn a median of $59,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.02% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $63,451.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carbondale 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.
Carbondale, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $59,454 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,230 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,199
2025 BLS Actual
$57,829
2026 Current Est.
$59,454
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,199 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,342 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,375 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,845 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,829 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,454 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carbondale metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $49,199 (2019) to $57,829 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,926 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carbondale 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) | $47,380 – $53,638 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,638 – $59,454 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,454 – $64,089 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,089 – $70,351 |
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 Carbondale
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Carbondale features only five employed individuals in this specialty, which suggests a niche workforce with limited competition. With a cost of living index at 97.1, professionals can enjoy a relatively advantageous purchasing power. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings generally offer the most competitive pay, while outpatient clinics and school contracts may present variations in earnings. The spread between lower and higher pay is influenced by factors such as the employment setting, productivity expectations, and the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking positions that align with higher-paying employers and potentially enhance their skills to negotiate better compensation packages effectively.
More salary data for Carbondale, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Carbondale, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Carbondale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Carbondale?
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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 $57,829 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Carbondale 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 Carbondale 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