Occupational Therapist Salary in Illinois: $99K Median

The average Occupational Therapist salary in Illinois is $99,261 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $72,100 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $128,750 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.

Occupational Therapists in Illinois earn approximately 3% more than the US national median ($96,370 nationally vs $99,261 in Illinois). Illinois's cost-of-living index of 100 is close to the national average.

Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries in Illinois grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $15,040 in 2025 to $99,261 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth OT and Pediatric specialty demand.

Top-paying Illinois metros for Occupational Therapists: Chicago ($101K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.

OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. Illinois's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Logistics, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.

Yes, Illinois has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $99,261, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.

Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth OT, Pediatric specialty, Hand therapy (CHT), Mental health OT, Geriatric care. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Illinois employers.

Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for Illinois: $90,237.