Activity Therapy Assistant Salary in Illinois

How much does an Activity Therapy Assistant make in Illinois? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Activity Therapy Assistant in Illinois is $68,023 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, an Activity Therapy Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,027
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,126 to $71,689
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,846

Key Factors That Influence Activity Therapy Assistant Salaries

An Activity Therapy Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Activity Therapy Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Activity Therapy Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,259
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $38,317
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $110,707
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,677
  • Expert (over 8 years): $156,810
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Activity Therapy Assistant less than 1 year $67,259
Physical Therapy Attendant 1-2 years $38,317
Physical Therapy Supervisor 2-4 years $110,707
Physical Therapy Manager 5-8 years $130,677
Physical Therapy Director over 8 years $156,810

Top Paying Cities for Activity Therapy Assistant

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Effingham: $62,703
  • Saint Peter: $62,617
  • Salem: $62,856

Activity Therapy Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Activity Therapy Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Activity Therapy Assistant positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Activity Therapy Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Activity Therapy Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $81,627 $39.0 20%

Activity Therapy Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Activity Therapy Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$61,126
Average $68,023/year
$71,689
$5,094
Average $5,669/month
$5,974
$1,175
Average $1,308/week
$1,379
$29
Average $33/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,689 $5,974 $1,379 $34
Average $68,023 $5,669 $1,308 $33
25th Percentile $61,126 $5,094 $1,175 $29

Find Your Next Activity Therapy Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Activity Therapy Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Carle Health | Danville, IL

    Carle Health | Danville, IL

    Carle Health - - Responsibilities: Educates patients, family, caregivers, students, and other health care providers using relevant and effective teaching m... more

    4 Days Ago

  • AdventHealth | Hinsdale, IL

    AdventHealth | Hinsdale, IL

    AdventHealth - 120 North Oak Street - Responsibilities: Implements treatment plans established by the Occupational Therapist. Documents interventions and p... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Cass County Senior Living and Rehab | Virginia, IL

    Cass County Senior Living and Rehab | Virginia, IL

    Job Opportunity:Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Location:Cass County Senior Living and Rehabilitation LLC -- Virginia, IL 62691 Compensation:$40- per ho... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Interim HealthCare | Chicago, IL

    Interim HealthCare | Chicago, IL

    Home Health Ortho Physical Therapist (PT) Home Health Ortho Physical Therapist (PT) around Jefferson Park, IL &OpenCurlyDoubleQuote. Edgewater, Elmwood Par... more

    2 Days Ago

  • ORTHOPAEDICS & RHEUMATOLOGY OF | Skokie, IL

    ORTHOPAEDICS & RHEUMATOLOGY OF | Skokie, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (PTA) ( FULL-TIME or PART-TIME). Busy Rheumatology group in Skokie, IL is loo... more

    2 Days Ago

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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