IL · Rockford · Updated October 15, 2026

Occupational Therapist jobs in Rockford, IL

The median occupational therapist pay in the Rockford area is $48.11 per hour ($100,070 a year), with the typical range running from $38.07 to $50.56. That ranks 88th of 354 U.S. metro areas for occupational therapist pay, and 58th of 327 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Rockford. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Rockford.

More open Occupational Therapist roles in Rockford

1 more open role from employers in Rockford. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Occupational Therapist pay in Rockford, IL

The metro median is 1% above the Illinois statewide median of $47.55 per hour. Nationally the median is $47.28 per hour. BLS counts about 130 occupational therapists employed in the Rockford metro area, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.92).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$32.53$67,66031% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$38.07$79,19019% below U.S. median
Median$48.11$100,0702% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$50.56$105,1607% above U.S. median
Top 10%$57.82$120,27022% above U.S. median

How Rockford ranks

  • 88th of 354 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 58th of 327 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd 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.

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Named employers near Rockford, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Rockford

  • Overall prices in Rockford run 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 30% below the U.S. average (index 70.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $48.11 median hour buys what $52.21 buys at the national price level, 10% above 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 Rockford paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,732
  • Per year: $86,598
  • Per month: $7,216

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

Travel assignment per diem in Rockford

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).

Open Occupational Therapist roles in Illinois

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Rockford as they open.

All Occupational Therapist jobs in Illinois

Hospitals in Rockford

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Rockford, 0 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of occupational therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Javon Bea Hospital
Rockford, IL
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Uw Health
Rockford, IL
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Saint Anthony Medical Center
Rockford, IL
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes

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
Janesville, WI30 mi$42.80/hr66,428
Elgin, IL41 mi$48.53/hr114,701
Hoffman Estates, IL49 mi$48.53/hr50,920
Aurora, IL52 mi$48.53/hr180,710
Schaumburg, IL53 mi$48.53/hr77,099
Palatine, IL53 mi$48.53/hr65,951

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

Other healthcare roles in Rockford

Rockford city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do occupational therapists make in Rockford, IL?

Occupational Therapists in the Rockford metro area have a median pay of $48.11 per hour, about $100,070 a year. The middle half earn between $38.07 and $50.56 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Rockford ranks 58th of 327 metro areas for occupational therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 88th of 354 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.

Where do occupational therapists work in Rockford?

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Rockford, led by Javon Bea Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Illinois license to work in Rockford 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 Rockford?

The federal per diem benchmark in Rockford 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 Rockford?

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

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What do employers near Rockford pay occupational therapists? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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    What they are offering now

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

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

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • 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
  • OSF Healthcare SystemPekin, IL · 3 postings$42.58/ hr$39–$52

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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