Occupational Therapy Aides Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $41,550 +11.2% vs national
Median hourly $19.98
10th percentile $35,280
90th percentile $76,200
Employed locally 100
National median $37,370

Compare Occupational Therapy Aides salary & buying power

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Occupational Therapy Aides
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,280
    25th
    $39,600
    50th (median)
    $41,550
    75th
    $41,730
    90th
    $76,200

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Occupational Therapy Aides salary vs area income 47% Median Occupational Therapy Aides salary is 53% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Occupational Therapy Aides

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Carolina $73,450
    Florida $70,660
    Albuquerque, NM $67,890
    New Mexico $67,890
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $66,030
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $65,820

    Nearby metros — Occupational Therapy Aides salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $39,750
    St. Louis, MO-IL $38,380
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $38,160
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $36,590

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $36,340
    Nursing Assistants $46,050
    Medical Assistants $46,740
    Dental Assistants $47,570
    Phlebotomists $48,000
    Massage Therapists $61,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Occupational Therapy Aides make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Occupational Therapy Aides in Chicago, IL-IN is $19.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.95 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Occupational Therapy Aides salaries?

    The median Occupational Therapy Aides salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 11.2% above the national median of $37,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Occupational Therapy Aides (10th percentile) earn around $35,280 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,600.