Occupational Therapist Jobs in Chicago

What Does a Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapists help individuals develop, recover, or maintain skills needed for daily living and work activities. They design interventions and adaptive strategies for physical, cognitive, or emotional conditions.

Occupational Therapist Salary in Chicago

The median salary for a Occupational Therapist in Chicago is $97,763 per year. The range is $75K - $107K (P10: $67,596, P90: $120,797). (BLS OEWS 2025) Typical US salary range: $80K - $130K. In Europe: €45K - €75K. Cost of living in Chicago is moderate compared to other cities.

Most In-Demand Skills

The Chicago Job Market

Midwest powerhouse with 280K+ finance, tech, and manufacturing jobs. Chicago's growing fintech and SaaS sector is attracting talent seeking lower costs than coastal cities.

Top industries: Finance, Manufacturing, Technology, Professional Services.

Strong public transit network with Metra regional connectivity supporting hybrid work patterns.

Career Path & 2026 Trends

Occupational therapists advance to senior therapist, supervisor, or clinical specialist roles; many specialize in pediatrics, hand therapy, or mental health. Occupational therapy in 2026 is growing with aging populations and increased focus on mental health, with telehealth expanding service delivery models.

Interview Tip

Share a patient case where you developed innovative adaptive strategies—focus on your assessment process, client collaboration, and functional outcome improvements.

How to Find a Occupational Therapist Job in Chicago?

jobko.ai aggregates listings from 40+ sources (Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and more) and uses AI to analyze each posting against your profile. With 6 current Occupational Therapist listings in Chicago, you get honest match scores, red flag detection, and personalized CV advice — all for free.