Occupational Therapist Salary in Lake in the Hills, IL: $97,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Lake in the Hills, IL earns a median $97,389/year (≈ $46.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Lake in the Hills's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $100,298 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapist salary in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, is estimated at $97,389 annually, reflecting the impacts of past Medicare cuts on skilled nursing facilities and outpatient therapy compensation. This salary is coupled with a range from $69,318 at the 10th percentile to $128,086 at the 90th percentile, based on local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. As the local job market adapts to changing reimbursement models, occupational therapists in the area face unique challenges, particularly those working with skilled nursing facilities, which may experience reduced budgets affecting overall pay structures and job availability.
About the Lake in the Hills Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,318 | $33.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,867 | $37.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,389 | $46.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,771 | $52.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,086 | $61.58 |
Median Salary Position
5.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake in the Hills
In Lake in the Hills, IL, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,768 (2026 est.). At $97,389, the local median is 5.81% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Lake in the Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake in the Hills Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Lake in the Hills median: $97,389/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake in the Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,579 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -5.81% less |
Occupational Therapists in Lake in the Hills, IL earn a median of $97,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.81% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $99,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake in the Hills has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake in the Hills, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $97,389 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,298 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,011
2025 BLS Actual
$94,497
2026 Current Est.
$97,389
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Lake in the Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,011 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,264 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,595 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,763 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,767 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,497 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,369 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake in the Hills metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $80,011 (2019) to $94,497 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,369 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,358 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake in the Hills 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,318 – $78,867 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,867 – $97,389 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,389 – $108,771 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,771 – $128,086 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Lake in the Hills
With just six occupational therapists currently employed in Lake in the Hills, the local job market is relatively niche, making it crucial for professionals to consider cost-of-living implications, especially given a cost-of-living index of 97.1, indicating lower living expenses compared to the national average. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer the highest compensation, while outpatient hand therapy clinics and school contracts generally provide lower salary scales. Differences in pay can be attributed to factors such as productivity expectations, the presence of board certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), and the distinction between year-round and school-year contracts. To maximize occupational therapist pay in Lake in the Hills, individuals should explore additional certifications, diversify practice settings, and position themselves for roles that leverage higher reimbursement rates.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Lake in the Hills, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Lake in the Hills?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Lake in the Hills?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $94,497 for occupational therapistsin the Lake in the Hills metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake in the Hills 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