Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wheaton, IL: $62,385 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Wheaton, IL earns a median $62,385/year (≈ $29.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Wheaton's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,248 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Wheaton, Illinois, can anticipate a median annual salary of $62,385 in 2026, a figure notably lower than the projected national median of $74,332, reflecting a local salary variance of approximately 16.07%. This discrepancy might be attributed to the local job market dynamics and cost of living factors, as local estimates based on 2025 BLS data suggest a salary range from $46,429 at the lower end (P10) to $78,231 at the upper end (P90). Such figures are adjusted for regional price parities, offering a clearer picture of what OTAs can expect in terms of compensation. Those seeking to advance from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) should consider the potential lifetime pay increase that further education can provide, particularly given the growing demand for skilled professionals in this field.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,429 | $22.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,281 | $26.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,385 | $29.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,038 | $33.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,231 | $37.61 |
Median Salary Position
16.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheaton
In Wheaton, IL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,802 (2026 est.). At $62,385, the local median is 16.07% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Wheaton: You'd be above the median
How Wheaton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Wheaton median: $62,385/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheaton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $63,464 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.07% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wheaton, IL earn a median of $62,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.07% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $63,464.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheaton 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.
Wheaton, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,385 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,248 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,624
2025 BLS Actual
$60,680
2026 Current Est.
$62,385
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,624 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,824 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,809 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,894 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,385 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,138 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheaton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,624 (2019) to $60,680 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,514 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheaton 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) | $46,429 – $54,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,281 – $62,385 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,385 – $69,038 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,038 – $78,231 |
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 Wheaton
In Wheaton, the employment landscape for occupational therapy assistants reflects a relatively small pool, with just 14 OTAs currently working in the area. The cost-of-living index of 97.1 indicates that local purchasing power is slightly below the national average, impacting real income benefits for OTAs. Among various employers such as skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, those in hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the highest pay. The disparity in salaries can often be linked to service settings—hospitals usually compensate better than schools or skilled nursing facilities. Additionally, productivity expectations, weekend and PRN premium rates, and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services further complicate pay structures. For optimal income in Wheaton, OTAs might consider specializing in high-demand areas or exploring year-round positions that offer better salary packages.
More salary data for Wheaton, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Wheaton, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Wheaton?
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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 $60,680 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Wheaton 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 Wheaton 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