Occupational Therapist Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $97,031 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $97,031/year (≈ $46.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $99,929 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Oak Lawn, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $97,031. This figure is slightly below the national median of $103,400, indicating that local market conditions and cost-of-living factors play a significant role in compensation. Salaries for occupational therapists can vary widely in the region, ranging from $70,730 at the tenth percentile to as high as $127,153 at the ninetieth percentile. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and reflect local salary estimates adjusted for regional economic conditions. Additionally, growing demand for specialized certifications, such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, can further enhance earning potential, providing a premium for those with this sought-after credential.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,730 | $34.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,293 | $37.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,031 | $46.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,988 | $54.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,153 | $61.14 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,423 (2026 est.). At $97,031, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $97,031/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,621 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -6.16% less |
Occupational Therapists in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $97,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $99,621.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $97,031 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,929 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,717
2025 BLS Actual
$94,150
2026 Current Est.
$97,031
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,717 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,965 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,299 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,434 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,048 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,031 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,000 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $79,717 (2019) to $94,150 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,000 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,283 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $70,730 – $78,293 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,293 – $97,031 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,031 – $112,988 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,988 – $127,153 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Oak Lawn
Occupational therapy is an established profession in Oak Lawn, with a small cluster of 14 therapists currently working in the area. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains more favorable due to lower living costs. Employers in skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive pay, followed by hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, while outpatient clinics and school districts may present lower salary options. Various factors contribute to the pay disparities, such as the type of setting, productivity expectations, and the necessity for specialty certifications. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapist pay in Oak Lawn, pursuing the CHT credential, considering year-round job opportunities, and negotiating contracts strategically can be effective approaches as the market continues to grow at an annual rate of 3.06%.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Oak Lawn, IL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Oak Lawn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Oak Lawn?
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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 $94,150 for occupational therapistsin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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