What is the average Therapist salary for Chicago, IL?
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As of May 01, 2026, the average Therapist salary in Chicago, IL is $91,010. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Therapist job titles in Chicago, IL. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Therapist job titles in Chicago, IL. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Therapist Salaries in Chicago, IL
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Recreational Therapist | $62,691 | $30.14 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Occupational Therapist | $112,835 | $54.25 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Speech Therapist | $99,673 | $47.92 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Dental Therapist | $89,100 | $42.84 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Vision Therapist | $105,592 | $50.77 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Autism Therapist | $41,553 | $19.98 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Wilderness Therapist | $54,369 | $26.14 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Developmental Therapist | $91,198 | $43.85 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Milieu Therapist | $297,832 | $143.19 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
| Drama Therapist | $68,151 | $32.76 | Chicago, IL | May 01, 2026 |
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Recreational Therapist plans and directs medically approved therapeutic recreational programs for patients. Organizes activities according to patients' capabilities, needs, and interests. Being a Recreational Therapist conducts programs including symptom management, basic conversation skills, community re-entry, sports, gardening, dramatics, music, social activities, and arts and crafts. Prepares reports for patients' physicians describing individual patient symptoms and reactions to therapeutic programs. Additionally, Recreational Therapist conducts activity therapy assessment of a patient's strengths and needs, and recommends therapeutic activity. Documents progress on each patient. Requires a license/certification to practice from the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Requires to practice from the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Recreational Therapist's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Recreational Therapist Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Licensed Recreation Therapist
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Occupational Therapist plans and conducts individualized occupational therapy programs to help patients develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Conducts baseline tests, assessments, and interviews to gather information on daily environment and barriers, evaluate abilities, and understand needs and goals. Being an Occupational Therapist maintains accurate patient records including treatment plans, progress, and outcomes and prepares and delivers reports for other healthcare professionals or insurance providers. Recommends adaptive equipment for participating in activities and teaches patients skills and techniques for use. Additionally, Occupational Therapist may require a master's degree. Requires Occupational Therapist License and Registration (OTR/L). Typically reports to a manager. Occupational Therapist's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Occupational Therapist Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Certified Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist (OT), Registered Occupational TherapistCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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The Speech Therapist evaluates speech and language skills as related to educational, medical, social, and psychological factors. Diagnoses and treats speech and language problems, and engages in scientific study of human communication. Being a Speech Therapist is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, cognitive, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders. Plans, directs, or conducts rehabilitative treatment programs to restore communicative efficiency of individuals with communication problems of organic and nonorganic etiology. In addition, Speech Therapist maintains records, monitors progress, and counsels patients and their family members. May require a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology (CCC). Requires a master's degree of speech-language pathology. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Speech Therapist's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Speech Therapist Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Speech and Language Pathologist, SLP Speech Therapist, Speech Pathologist
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The Dental Therapist performs routine examination and assessment of dental health. Under the direct supervision of a dentist, cleans calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums using dental instruments. Being a Dental Therapist feels and visually examines gums for sores and signs of disease. Feels lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer. In addition, Dental Therapist provides instruction, guidance, and coaching to patients about methods to improve dental health. May take Radiographs or x-rays. Typically requires an associate degree in dental hygiene. Meets licensing requirements as a dental hygienist for the state. Radiography/x-ray certification per state guidelines. Basic Life Support certification (BLS.) Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Being a Dental Therapist independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Working as a Dental Therapist typically requires 5-7 years of related experience. Dental Therapist Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)Category : Healthcare - Technicians