Occupational Therapists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $100,940 +2.6% vs national
Median hourly $48.53
10th percentile $67,440
90th percentile $128,940
Employed locally 5,890
National median $98,340

Compare Occupational Therapists salary & buying power

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Occupational Therapists
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $67,440
    25th
    $80,140
    50th (median)
    $100,940
    75th
    $109,230
    90th
    $128,940

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Occupational Therapists salary vs area income 114% Median Occupational Therapists salary is 14% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Occupational Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $134,720
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $133,850
    Vallejo, CA $129,830
    Chico, CA $128,980
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $128,960
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $126,220

    Nearby metros — Occupational Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $133,850
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $123,900
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $105,050
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $103,950
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $103,860
    Amarillo, TX $103,360

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $96,480
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,570
    Physicians, All Other $215,680
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $72,920
    Pharmacists $137,610
    Physical Therapists $104,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Occupational Therapists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Occupational Therapists in Chicago, IL-IN is $48.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.46 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Occupational Therapists salaries?

    The median Occupational Therapists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 2.6% above the national median of $98,340. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Occupational Therapists in Chicago?

    Entry-level Occupational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $67,440 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,140.