IL · Crystal Lake · Updated October 15, 2026

Occupational Therapist jobs in Crystal Lake, IL

Pay for occupational therapists in the Crystal Lake area centers on $48.53 per hour, or about $100,940 a year. The lower quarter earns under $38.53 and the upper quarter over $52.51. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Crystal Lake. That ranks 71st of 354 U.S. metro areas for occupational therapist pay, and 185th of 327 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Crystal Lake.

Open Occupational Therapist roles in Crystal Lake

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Occupational Therapist pay in Crystal Lake, IL

The metro median is 2% above the Illinois statewide median of $47.55 per hour. Nationally the median is $47.28 per hour. BLS counts about 5,890 occupational therapists employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area, 1.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.33).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$32.43$67,45031% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$38.53$80,14019% below U.S. median
Median$48.53$100,9403% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$52.51$109,22011% above U.S. median
Top 10%$61.99$128,94031% above U.S. median

How Crystal Lake ranks

  • 71st of 354 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 185th of 327 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st of 6 Illinois metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Crystal Lake

  • Overall prices in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin run 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 12% above the U.S. average (index 112.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $48.53 median hour buys what $46.85 buys at the national price level, 1% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Crystal Lake paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,747
  • Per year: $87,354
  • Per month: $7,280

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Crystal Lake

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel occupational therapist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Hospitals in Crystal Lake

CMS lists 1 hospital in Crystal Lake. Hospitals are a major employer of occupational therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Mercyhealth Hospital & Physician Clinic-Crystal La
Crystal Lake, IL
Acute careNonprofitNot ratedYes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Occupational Therapist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Elgin, IL13 mi$48.53/hr114,701
Hoffman Estates, IL15 mi$48.53/hr50,920
Kenosha, WI34 mi$43.00/hr99,578

Occupational Therapist jobs in Illinois · Occupational Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Illinois

Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Illinois requires for your role with the Illinois licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Illinois taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Illinois state guide

Crystal Lake city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do occupational therapists make in Crystal Lake, IL?

Occupational Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area have a median pay of $48.53 per hour, about $100,940 a year. The middle half earn between $38.53 and $52.51 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Crystal Lake a good place for occupational therapists once cost of living is counted?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin ranks 185th of 327 metro areas for occupational therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 71st of 354 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring occupational therapists in Crystal Lake?

We list 3 open roles with published pay from 1 employer in Crystal Lake. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Crystal Lake.

Do I need a Illinois license to work in Crystal Lake as an occupational therapist?

Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Illinois requires for your role with the Illinois licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Crystal Lake?

The federal per diem benchmark in Crystal Lake is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place occupational therapists in Crystal Lake?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Crystal Lake and across Illinois. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Crystal Lake.

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Pay report · OT near Crystal Lake, IL
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your OT pay reportCrystal Lake, IL · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Select MedicalCrystal Lake, IL · 10 postings$36.54/ hr$32–$45
  • MercyIllinois · 7 postings$45.71/ hr$34–$60
  • Enhabit Home HealthBloomington, IL · 5 postings$44.47/ hr$26–$46
  • Hospital Sisters Health SystemSpringfield, IL · 6 postings$42.76/ hr$34–$54

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$34Median$43.61High$55

34 OT postings with published pay in Illinois, 25 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 34 OT roles

  1. Occupational Therapist - PediatricsPermanent
    $35.00–$42.00/ hour
    Select Medical · Naperville, IL · posted today
  2. Occupational TherapistPermanent
    $70k–$82k/ year
    Select Medical · Saint Charles, IL · posted today

+ 32 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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