Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Romeoville, IL: $45.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Romeoville, IL runs $45.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,311 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Romeoville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,184 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For occupational therapists in Romeoville, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay in 2026 is $45.82. This figure is slightly lower than the national median, which sits at $49.71. For therapists working part-time—approximately three days a week—this hourly rate translates to a potential income of around $36,000 annually, depending on hours worked and any additional benefits. The hourly range for an occupational therapist in the area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $34.81 per hour and top earners reaching up to $58.47. These estimates are derived from projected annual salary data and reflect the variety of settings where occupational therapists can be employed, such as hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health visits.
About the Romeoville 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) | $34.81 | $278.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.70 | $309.59 |
| Median (P50) | $45.82 | $366.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.68 | $421.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.47 | $467.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Romeoville
Based on $45.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.82/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Romeoville, IL can expect to earn approximately $95,307 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,985. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Romeoville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Romeoville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,832.82 | $7,942 | $95,307 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,099.69 | $4,765 | $57,184 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $733.13 | $3,177 | $38,123 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Romeoville) | $45.82 |
| 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 Romeoville, IL earn a median of $95,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.82% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 4.30% below the Illinois state average of $99,593.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.82/hr = $57,184/year (purchasing power: $58,892).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,307/year (purchasing power: $98,153).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Romeoville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Romeoville grew 18.1% from $37.64/hr (2019) to $44.46/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.22/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 Romeoville 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 Romeoville
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Occupational therapists in Romeoville can see a notable difference in their earnings, especially when considering part-time versus full-time work. For instance, working 24 hours a week can yield around $36,000 annually, which is a substantial reduction compared to the income of full-time therapists. In the per-diem sector, occupational therapists often charge hourly rates between $50 and $75, while those with a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential can command even higher rates, reaching $80 to $110 in cash-pay practices. Moreover, travel contracts can offer significant compensation, between $1,800 to $2,800 per week, reflecting the demand for such specialists. In Romeoville, the type of employer can also influence pay; for example, skilled nursing facilities and school districts may offer different hourly rates. Therapists might accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, which can be a key consideration in negotiations. For those looking to maximize earnings, negotiating for higher hourly rates in exchange for no benefits may be attractive, particularly in a local market where hourly rates are on the rise.
More salary data for Romeoville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Romeoville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Romeoville?
Are occupational therapists in Romeoville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Romeoville?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Romeoville?
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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 Romeoville. 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 Romeoville 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