PayByState

Illinois · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Illinois

Median $101,290 · Top 10% earn $123,460+ · Roughly 5,686 workers in Illinois. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Illinois median
$101,290
$48.70/hr
Top 10%
$123,460
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$65,180
Entry-level range
Real pay
$101,901
CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.4)

Illinois pays close to the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $101,290 versus the national median of $98,340. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 5,686 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Illinois

Illinois OT demand is concentrated in Chicago metro. Pediatric outpatient and autism services are the fastest-growing specialty.

Illinois ranks #18 of 50 states

Where Illinois sits in the national distribution for occupational therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Illinois
#16 New Hampshire $103,260 +$1,970
#15 Rhode Island $103,260 +$1,970
#14 Colorado $104,240 +$2,950
#18 Illinois (this page) $101,290 —
#19 Delaware $99,320 −$1,970
#20 Arizona $97,360 −$3,930
#21 Maine $97,360 −$3,930
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Illinois

The typical path is a master's degree (entry-level) + state license; otd increasingly required, taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $40,000 (community college) to $150,000 (private accelerated). On the Illinois median of $101,290, payback periods are typically 2.2 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Occupational Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Illinois selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Illinois — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Illinois?
The median occupational therapist salary in Illinois is $101,290 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $65,180; the top 10% earn $123,460 or more. About 5,686 people work in this role across the state.
How does Illinois occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Illinois's median of $101,290 is $2,950 above the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $101,901.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Illinois?
On the data: Illinois employs roughly 5,686 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $101,290 and the top decile clearing $123,460. The role is projected to grow +11% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Illinois?
At the Illinois median of $101,290 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $48.70/hr. The top 10% earn around $59.36/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $31.34/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Illinois-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1122: Occupational Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Illinois's RPP is 99.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.