Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Rockford, IL: $64,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Rockford, IL earns a median $64,400/year (≈ $30.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $69,883 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $64,400 in 2026. This figure places local compensation approximately 13.36% below the national median of $74,332 for the same year. The salary range for this role spans from $47,796 at the 10th percentile to $80,171 at the 90th percentile. Utilizing data from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, these estimates indicate a steady demand for occupational therapy assistants, with salary expectations reflecting the productivity and visits-per-day considerations pivotal to effective care delivery in various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,796 | $22.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,131 | $29.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,886 | $37.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,171 | $38.54 |
Median Salary Position
13.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,375 (2026 est.). At $64,400, the local median is 13.36% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be above the median
How Rockford Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Rockford median: $64,400/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,448 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.36% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rockford, IL earn a median of $64,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.36% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% above the Illinois state average of $63,448.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,400 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,883 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,292
2025 BLS Actual
$62,640
2026 Current Est.
$64,400
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,292 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,531 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,666 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,057 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,491 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,210 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,292 (2019) to $62,640 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,210 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,918 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $47,796 – $61,131 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,131 – $64,400 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,400 – $78,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,886 – $80,171 |
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 Rockford
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Rockford consists of around 40 professionals, a number that suggests moderate local demand amid ongoing growth industries. With a cost of living index of 92.154, Rockford offers a relatively affordable environment for living, which can improve the practical purchasing power of occupational therapy assistant salaries. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings tend to offer the highest compensation, while school district contracts often provide stable hours but may lag in pay. Factors influencing salary variation include the impact of the 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements for OTA-provided services, which has led to tighter budgets in many facilities. To maximize pay in the Rockford market, occupational therapy assistants should consider diversifying their work settings, seeking weekend or PRN opportunities, and explore bridge pathways to advance from COTA to MOT, thereby enhancing their earning potential.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $62,640 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Rockford 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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