Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Elmhurst, IL: $60,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Elmhurst, IL earns a median $60,046/year (≈ $28.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Elmhurst's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant in Elmhurst, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $60,046, a figure that trails the national median of $74,332 by 19.22%. The local salary range establishes a spectrum from $44,336 at the 10th percentile to $70,999 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings in which COTAs operate. These insights stem from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity. The local market dynamics reflect a manageable workload, with effective productivity expectations closely tied to the visits-per-day model for this profession. Given the city's current job framework, these salary figures shine light on the compensation reality for occupational therapy assistants in Elmhurst and highlight the productivity driven nature of the field.
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,336 | $21.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,766 | $24.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,046 | $28.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,202 | $30.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,999 | $34.13 |
Median Salary Position
19.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,663 (2026 est.). At $60,046, the local median is 19.22% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Elmhurst: You'd be above the median
How Elmhurst Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Elmhurst median: $60,046/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmhurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,474 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -19.22% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $60,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.22% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $63,474.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmhurst 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.
Elmhurst, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $60,046 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,839 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,689
2025 BLS Actual
$58,405
2026 Current Est.
$60,046
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,689 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,844 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,866 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,902 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,405 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,733 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmhurst metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $49,689 (2019) to $58,405 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,044 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmhurst 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) | $44,336 – $51,766 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,766 – $60,046 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,046 – $64,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,202 – $70,999 |
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 Elmhurst
Considering the local job market, Elmhurst currently employs nine occupational therapy assistants, indicating a smaller, yet defined employment ecosystem. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, potential earnings offer a more standard purchasing power than many surrounding areas. Among the various healthcare settings in Elmhurst, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to provide some of the highest compensation for occupational therapy assistants. However, salary disparities exist, often governed by productivity expectations and specific contractual agreements, such as the preference for weekend or on-call shifts that may boost earnings. Additionally, the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut enacted in 2022 is visible in compensation patterns, particularly in skilled nursing and outpatient facilities. To make the most of the Elmhurst market, early career professionals should focus on seeking employment in higher-paying settings and considering school district contracts, which often yield predictable hours and stability.
More salary data for Elmhurst, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Elmhurst, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Elmhurst?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Elmhurst?
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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 $58,405 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst 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