Occupational Therapy Assistant in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Illinois employs 2,470 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $64,120 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.
What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Illinois (May 2025)
- Illinois median pay
- $64,120 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $47,830
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $73,850
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $80,150
- Employed in Illinois
- 2,470
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $68,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Illinois markets:
- Chicago metro
- $67,840 (1,710 employed)
- Springfield
- $67,140 (40 employed)
- Rockford
- $62,640 (40 employed)
- Champaign–Urbana
- $60,840 (70 employed)
- Bloomington
- $60,050 (50 employed)
- Peoria
- $55,210 (100 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois
Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,120 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)
Illinois is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +18.7%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 360 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Illinois License and Certification Requirements
Occupational Therapy Assistant license — regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.
- Pass the NBCOT COTA examination.
- Apply through IDFPR.
Official requirements: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) →
Training in Illinois
Chicago's huge school district plus rehab and skilled nursing networks anchor demand. Community college and career college programs in Chicagoland and downstate keep entry affordable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Illinois include:
- Black Hawk College — Associate
- Carl Sandburg College — Associate
- City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College — Associate
- City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College — Associate
Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Illinois
Real Illinois outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:
- Community Physical Therapy & Assoc Ltd — Addison
- Cora Physical Therapy - Belvidere — Belvidere
- Novacare Rehabilitation — Benton
- Empowerme Rehabilitation Illinois, LLC — Bethalto
- Advanced Physical Therapy Services, Ltd — Bloomington
- Empowerme Rehabilitation — Bloomington
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.
Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.
Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
First Steps
Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Illinois?
The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Illinois is $64,120 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,830, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,150. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Illinois?
Occupational Therapy Assistant license, overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.
Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Illinois?
Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
Which Illinois metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?
Among Illinois metro areas, Chicago metro leads at $67,840, followed by Springfield ($67,140), Rockford ($62,640). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Illinois?
Real Illinois options include Black Hawk College, Carl Sandburg College, City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Illinois?
Illinois projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +18.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 360 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Illinois wages · Illinois licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.