Salary · Metro area · SOC 31-2011
Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, per year and per hour
BLS data for May 2025 for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which spans IL, IN.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, released May 15, 2026. Publisher page
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Annual pay: Chicago vs Illinois vs the US
| Measure | This metro | Illinois | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | $67,840 | $64,120 | $72,300 |
| Mean (average) | $68,150 | $65,580 | $70,710 |
| 10th percentile | $48,980 | $47,830 | $51,490 |
| 25th percentile | $61,730 | $59,460 | $61,710 |
| 75th percentile | $74,250 | $73,850 | $79,160 |
| 90th percentile | $82,560 | $80,150 | $89,780 |
| Measure | Hourly |
|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | $32.61 |
| Mean (average) | $32.76 |
| 10th percentile | $23.55 |
| 25th percentile | $29.68 |
| 75th percentile | $35.70 |
| 90th percentile | $39.69 |
Employment: 1,710. 0.379 per 1,000 jobs in the area. Location quotient 1.15.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page
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Questions
How much does a COTA make per hour in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median hourly wage was $32.61 in May 2025, per BLS. The 10th percentile was $23.55 and the 90th was $39.69.
What is the average COTA salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
BLS reports a mean (average) of $68,150 a year and a median of $67,840 for May 2025. The median is the middle wage; the mean is pulled up by the highest earners.
Do occupational therapy assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earn more than the Illinois median?
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median of $67,840 is 6% higher than the Illinois median of $64,120 (BLS, May 2025).
Where do these numbers come from?
The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 estimates, SOC 31-2011. Figures BLS did not publish are left out.