Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Orland Park, IL: $64,361 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Orland Park, IL earns a median $64,361/year (≈ $30.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Orland Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $66,283 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Orland Park, the expected compensation for an occupational therapy assistant reflects regional healthcare dynamics and the evolving landscape after significant Medicare cuts. With a median annual salary projected at $64,361 and a wide range from $45,989 to $78,321, salaries can widely vary based on specific employment settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for local costs, highlight the area's competitive position that contrasts with the national median of $74,332. Local job opportunities for COTAs may be heavily influenced by workplace settings, including skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, with each environment presenting different pay structures.
About the Orland Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,989 | $22.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,566 | $26.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,361 | $30.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,792 | $33.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,321 | $37.66 |
Median Salary Position
13.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orland Park
In Orland Park, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,332 (2026 est.). At $64,361, the local median is 13.41% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Orland Park: You'd be above the median
How Orland Park Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Orland Park median: $64,361/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orland Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,473 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.41% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Orland Park, IL earn a median of $64,361 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.41% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $63,473.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orland Park 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.
Orland Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,361 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,283 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,259
2025 BLS Actual
$62,602
2026 Current Est.
$64,361
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Orland Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,259 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,498 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,632 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,022 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,361 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,170 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orland Park metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,259 (2019) to $62,602 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,170 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,911 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orland Park 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) | $45,989 – $54,566 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,566 – $64,361 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,361 – $69,792 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,792 – $78,321 |
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 Orland Park
The local job market in Orland Park IL consists of only nine occupational therapy assistants, pointing to a niche environment that can affect salary potential and competitiveness. The region's cost of living index, pegged at 97.1, indicates a slightly more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, which can enhance the take-home pay of those employed. Among different employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities typically offer higher wages compared to schools and skilled nursing facilities, particularly in the wake of the 15% Medicare cut impacting reimbursement rates. COTAs aiming to maximize their occupational therapy assistant salary in Orland Park should consider seeking opportunities in high-paying inpatient settings, pursuing PRN positions for added income, and potentially exploring continued education pathways to become a MOT. Understanding these factors can facilitate informed career decisions in light of market realities.
More salary data for Orland Park, 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 $62,602 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Orland Park 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 Orland Park 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