Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lake in the Hills, IL: $62,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lake in the Hills, IL earns a median $62,081/year (≈ $29.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lake in the Hills's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $63,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual occupational therapy assistant salary in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, is set at $62,081, reflecting a notable difference of 16.48% compared to the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $44,036 at the 10th percentile to $77,230 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum for earning potential in this field. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlighting the financial landscape specifically for professionals in Lake in the Hills. Factors influencing these earnings include the stability of job opportunities in the area, with a limited number of occupational therapy assistants currently employed, and the potential benefits of advancing from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) for long-term career and income growth.
About the Lake in the Hills Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,036 | $21.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,237 | $25.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,081 | $29.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,179 | $31.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,230 | $37.12 |
Median Salary Position
16.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake in the Hills
In Lake in the Hills, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,194 (2026 est.). At $62,081, the local median is 16.48% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Lake in the Hills: You'd be above the median
How Lake in the Hills Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lake in the Hills median: $62,081/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake in the Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,477 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.48% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lake in the Hills, IL earn a median of $62,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.48% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $63,477.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake in the Hills 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.
Lake in the Hills, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,081 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,935 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,372
2025 BLS Actual
$60,384
2026 Current Est.
$62,081
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lake in the Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,372 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,567 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,556 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,661 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,966 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,577 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,825 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake in the Hills metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,372 (2019) to $60,384 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,825 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,453 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake in the Hills 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) | $44,036 – $52,237 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,237 – $62,081 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,081 – $65,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,179 – $77,230 |
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 Lake in the Hills
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Lake in the Hills is characterized by a modest employment figure of six professionals, offering insight into the localized demand for this role. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, the area falls below the national average, potentially affecting the real purchasing power of salaries earned. Among the various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab often deliver the highest pay rates, influenced by the nature of service delivery and reimbursement frameworks. The considerable variation between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to several factors such as work setting, productivity expectations, and the adverse impact of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. To enhance earning potential, occupational therapy assistants in Lake in the Hills may consider pursuing continued education, further certifications, and diversifying their experience across different clinical environments.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, 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 $60,384 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills 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