Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Naperville, IL: $49.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Naperville, IL runs $49.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,991 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Naperville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,393 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Naperville, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapist is $49.99, reflecting a slight increase over the national median of $49.71. This hourly rate presents a viable option for both part-time (working three days a week) and per-diem occupational therapists, allowing for flexible schedules across various settings such as hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, school therapy rooms, or home health visits. Entry-level professionals can expect to earn around $34.01 per hour, while top earners in the field can command as much as $69.36 hourly. The hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates and indicate how occupational therapists are able to structure their work life according to their financial needs and commitments.
About the Naperville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.01 | $272.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.61 | $316.85 |
| Median (P50) | $49.99 | $399.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.39 | $459.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.36 | $554.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Naperville
Based on $49.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.99/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Naperville, IL can expect to earn approximately $103,988 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,993. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Naperville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Naperville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,999.78 | $8,666 | $103,988 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,199.87 | $5,199 | $62,393 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $799.91 | $3,466 | $41,595 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Naperville) | $49.99 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Naperville, IL earn a median of $103,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.57% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 4.40% above the Illinois state average of $99,608.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.99/hr = $62,393/year (purchasing power: $64,256).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,988/year (purchasing power: $107,094).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Naperville grew 18.1% from $41.07/hr (2019) to $48.51/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.52/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Naperville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapist in Naperville
For those considering part-time opportunities, working just 24 hours a week would yield an annual income of about $62,392, which can be appealing compared to full-time positions. The per diem occupational therapist pay in Naperville generally falls between $50 to $75 per hour, with specialized credentials like Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) potentially earning higher rates ranging from $80 to $110, especially in cash-pay environments. Additionally, travel occupational therapy contracts can provide substantial earnings of $1,800 to $2,800 per week. Hourly rates may vary depending on the type of employer, with skilled nursing facilities, outpatient therapy clinics, and educational contracts often offering different compensation structures. While some therapists might choose positions with lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance, others may prefer higher pay without benefits, leading to important conversations during hiring negotiations. Aspiring therapists should be prepared to discuss their hourly worth, keeping local market conditions in mind, to secure the best possible compensation for their skills in Naperville’s evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Naperville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Naperville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Naperville?
Are occupational therapists in Naperville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Naperville?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Naperville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Naperville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Naperville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov