Occupational Therapist Salary in Chicago, IL
Occupational Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $99,860 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,283 take-home, or $6,190 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median occupational therapist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,139
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,191
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,448
- Illinois income tax$4,798
- Take-home pay$74,283
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Occupational Therapist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,900 | $35.53 | $57,305 | $4,775 |
| 25th percentile | $82,390 | $39.61 | $62,858 | $5,238 |
| Median (50th) | $99,860 | $48.01 | $74,283 | $6,190 |
| 75th percentile | $111,170 | $53.45 | $81,680 | $6,807 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,160 | $65.46 | $97,736 | $8,145 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,860 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median occupational therapist's $74,283 take-home pay has the buying power of $71,705 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.3× the national concentration of occupational therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for occupational therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #52 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $122,050 | $94,687 | $96,555 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $107,650 | $84,562 | $89,279 |
| 3 | Fayetteville, AR | $107,830 | $80,696 | $88,334 |
| 4 | Little Rock, AR | $104,680 | $78,603 | $87,958 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $110,520 | $86,581 | $86,395 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $103,840 | $79,808 | $86,099 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $136,870 | $94,538 | $85,614 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $103,080 | $77,254 | $85,450 |
| 52 | Chicago, IL | $99,860 | $74,283 | $71,705 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Chicago, IL?
The median occupational therapist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $99,860 a year, or about $48.01 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,390 and $111,170.
What is a occupational therapist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $99,860 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $74,283 a year ($6,190 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,798 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $100,330. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $71,705 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #52 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a occupational therapist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median occupational therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $226,060
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,080
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $208,000
- Pediatricians, General — $188,340
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Veterinarian — $148,730
- Optometrist — $145,630
- Pharmacist — $140,880