COTA Jobs in Illinois

COTA jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with the state's large aging population and extensive rehabilitation network creating consistent openings in skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and outpatient therapy clinics. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford are the most active hiring markets, home to major employers such as Advocate Health Care, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and the Chicago Public Schools system. Hand therapy, pediatric occupational therapy assistance, and geriatric rehabilitation are among the most sought-after specialties across Illinois. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles38
Top employerEmpowerMe Wellness
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring33
Work type100% On-site
Top credentialCPR Certification

Showing 5 of 38+ COTA jobs

Elara Caring
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant COTA Home Health PRN
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Elara Caring
Added 1d ago
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant COTA Home Health PRN
Elara Caring
Rockford, Illinois
Customer Service
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
10,000+

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HealthPRO Heritage
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
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HealthPRO Heritage
Added 1d ago
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
HealthPRO Heritage
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$34 - $39/hr
Associate's degree in occupational therapy
10,000+

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Enhance Rehabilitation
PRN Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
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Enhance Rehabilitation
Added 1d ago
PRN Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Enhance Rehabilitation
Aurora, Illinois
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
201-500

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Aegis Therapies
Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA - PRN
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Aegis Therapies
Added 2d ago
Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA - PRN
Aegis Therapies
DeKalb, Illinois
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
5,001-10,000

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A
Pediatric Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) - Early Intervention Specialist
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A
Added 2d ago
Pediatric Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) - Early Intervention Specialist
Allied Therapy Partners, LLC
Chicago, Illinois
Business Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$54k - $61k/yr
On-Site

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See All 38 COTA Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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COTA Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
3 jobs
Normal
2 jobs
Waukegan
2 jobs
Mascoutah
2 jobs
Alton
1 job
Salem
1 job
Aurora
1 job
Breese
1 job
DeKalb
1 job

COTA Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

EmpowerMe Wellness
EmpowerMe Wellness6 open roles
Enhance Rehabilitation
Enhance Rehabilitation5 open roles
Enhabit Home Health & Hospice
Enhabit Home Health & Hospice4 open roles

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in COTA jobs across Illinois.

  • Active Illinois COTA license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
  • NBCOT certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant required or eligible
  • Associate degree in occupational therapy assistant from an accredited program
  • Ability to implement treatment plans developed by a licensed occupational therapist
  • Documentation skills for electronic health records such as Epic or Theraplace
  • Experience or clinical fieldwork in a skilled nursing, pediatric, or outpatient setting

COTA Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a cota in Illinois?

To become a cota in Illinois, you must complete an accredited associate degree program in occupational therapy assisting, pass the NBCOT COTA examination, and obtain a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The IDFPR issues the state license required to practice, and you must hold an active license before beginning paid work as a cota in any Illinois setting.

Which companies hire cotas in Illinois?

Companies currently hiring cotas in Illinois include EmpowerMe Wellness, Enhance Rehabilitation, and Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense network of skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and hospital-based rehabilitation programs means cota openings appear regularly with both large health systems and smaller regional therapy staffing organizations.

Which Illinois cities have the most cota jobs?

Chicago, Normal, and Waukegan are the Illinois cities with the most cota openings. Chicago dominates by volume because of its concentration of hospital systems, long-term care facilities, and public school programs, while Peoria and Rockford contribute meaningfully thanks to regional health systems like OSF HealthCare and major skilled nursing campuses that serve large surrounding rural populations.

Are there remote cota jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Cota work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct patient treatment in clinics, facilities, or schools, which limits remote options significantly. About 0% of cota openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are typically limited to telehealth-assisted roles or care coordination work rather than direct therapy delivery.

How can I get hired as a cota in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying directly to skilled nursing facilities, which in Illinois tend to hire new graduates and offer structured onboarding alongside experienced occupational therapists. Large Illinois employers such as Aperion Care and SLC Healthcare often post entry-level cota roles in their long-term care communities. Candidates who completed Level II fieldwork in Illinois facilities have a measurable advantage since many sites convert strong students into hires, and holding an active IDFPR license before your start date removes the most common hiring delay.

Where can I find and apply to cota jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to cota jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Search the roles that fit your experience level and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 38 COTA Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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