1

Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs in Normal, IL

COTA

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$27 - $36.25/hr

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Reports To: Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) / Director of Special Education / Rehabilitation Manager FLSA Status: Non-Exempt or Exempt (depending on ...

COTA

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$27 - $36.25/hr

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Reports To: Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) / Director of Special Education / Rehabilitation Manager FLSA Status: Non-Exempt or Exempt (depending on ...

COTA

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$65K/yr

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Reports To: Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) / Director of Special Education / Rehabilitation Manager FLSA Status: Non-Exempt or Exempt (depending on ...

Showing results 21-40

Occupational Therapy Assistant information

See Normal, IL salary details

$16

$28

$45

How much do occupational therapy assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for occupational therapy assistant in Normal, IL is $28.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.42 and $32.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an occupational therapy assistant do?

An Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works under the supervision of an occupational therapist to help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. OTAs assist with implementing treatment plans, teaching patients how to use adaptive equipment, and documenting progress. They work with individuals of all ages who may have physical, developmental, or emotional challenges, helping them achieve greater independence.

What does an occupational therapy assistant do?

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) work with Occupational Therapists (OT) to help patients with disabilities to develop skills for daily living. They work with patients to complete activities, use helpful tools and devices, and practice skills and positive behaviors. They also help facilitate sessions by setting up, transporting patients, and completing administrative tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an occupational therapy assistant?

To thrive as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you need an associate degree from an accredited OTA program, state licensure, and a solid understanding of anatomy, therapeutic techniques, and patient care. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), adaptive equipment, and rehabilitation software is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and adaptability help build rapport with clients and support effective therapy delivery. These skills and qualifications enable OTAs to provide high-quality care, support patient progress, and work efficiently within healthcare teams.

What are some common challenges occupational therapy assistants face when working with diverse patient populations?

Occupational Therapy Assistants often work with individuals of varying ages, backgrounds, and medical conditions, which can present challenges in communication and adapting therapeutic approaches. It's important to be flexible and creative when tailoring interventions to meet each patient's unique needs and cultural preferences. Additionally, balancing a busy caseload while ensuring personalized care for each client requires strong organizational and time-management skills. Collaborating closely with occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals is key to overcoming these challenges and providing effective patient support.

What is the difference between Occupational Therapy Assistant vs Physical Therapy Assistant?

AspectOccupational Therapy AssistantPhysical Therapy Assistant
CredentialsAssociate's degree in occupational therapy assisting, certification requiredAssociate's degree in physical therapy assisting, licensure or certification required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centersHospitals, outpatient clinics, rehab centers, sports facilities
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare providers focusing on daily living skillsHealthcare providers focusing on mobility and physical function

Both roles support patient recovery but focus on different aspects: Occupational Therapy Assistants help patients regain daily living skills, while Physical Therapy Assistants focus on improving mobility and physical function. They often work together in healthcare settings to provide comprehensive care.

Is being an occupational therapy assistant worth it?

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) support licensed occupational therapists in helping patients develop or recover daily living and work skills. The role offers steady employment, a median annual salary around $62,000, and opportunities to work in hospitals, clinics, or schools, often requiring certification and strong interpersonal skills. Job satisfaction depends on working with diverse populations and the ability to make a positive impact on patients' lives.

Where do occupational therapy assistants get paid the most?

Occupational therapy assistants tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for healthcare services, such as metropolitan areas and states with robust healthcare industries. Factors like experience, certifications, and working in specialized settings can also influence salary levels.

What are the most commonly searched types of Occupational Therapy jobs in Normal, IL?

The most popular types of Occupational Therapy jobs in Normal, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs in Normal, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs in Normal, IL are:

What cities near Normal, IL are hiring for Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs?

Cities near Normal, IL with the most Occupational Therapy Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Occupational Therapy Assistant job openings in Normal, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 36% Full Time, and 64% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $60,116 per year, or $28.9 per hour.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - BroMenn

Carle Health

Normal, IL • On-site

$23.19 - $38.73/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Carle Health rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 213 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

236th of 888 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview
The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant treats patients of all ages, and serves as a role model in the delivery of professional services and as a clinical resource for staff and students.
Responsibilities
Follows the therapist's plan of care. Adjusts the treatment based on patient response and available evidence only after communicating with the evaluating therapist and documenting that communication in the daily note.Implements intervention plans that are patient-centered, occupation-based, and modified according to patient response. Demonstrates a sequential plan of treatment activities, taking into consideration the functional and emotional needs of the patient and family and within the allotted time. Adapts activities to meet physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral limitations. Changes treatment approach with consideration to the environment and outcomes being addressed.Collaborates with patient, family, and significant others throughout the occupational therapy process.Educates patients, family, caregivers, students, and other health care providers using relevant and effective teaching methods.Actively collaborates with the occupational therapist and seeks direction with OTR.Produces clear, objective, and accurate documentation that uses professional language, provides support for decisions made, and provides necessary information to payers.Participates in activities addressing quality of service delivery.Clearly and effectively communicates verbally and nonverbally with patients, families, significant others, colleagues, service providers, and the public. Communicates with other team members as needed regarding patient progress. Serves as a resource for conflict resolution.Provides occupational therapy treatment interventions based on plan of care established by evaluating OT Completes range of motion measurements of the elbow, wrist, and hand Provides training to patients on ADLs including dressing, cooking skills Completes daily documentation and charging in therapy EMR Communicates with referring provider on patient progress and treatment recommendations
Qualifications
Certifications: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT); Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA), Education: Associate's Degree: Occupational Therapy Assistant, Work Experience:
Carle Health Company Overview
Find it here.
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We've grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We're developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world's first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation's highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: human.resources@carle.com.
Salary Range
The compensation range for this position is $23.19per hour - $38.73per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model.
Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.

What Carle Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Carle logo

About Carle

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Each and every employee at Carle makes us better and stronger, so we can take care of our patients and our community. From clinical to professional and technical careers – our team of employees help us change lives. Carle is proud to be named a Great Place to Work®. Alongside Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, and Carle Health Proctor Hospital, the Carle Foundation Hospital holds Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care.

Industry

Health care and social assistance and hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Urbana, IL, US