Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois

Occupational Therapist jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand across hospital systems, pediatric clinics, school districts, and skilled nursing facilities, and openings at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. Chicago anchors the largest share of hiring, followed by the broader suburbs and secondary markets like Rockford and Peoria, where major employers such as Northwestern Medicine, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and Advocate Aurora Health maintain lasting occupational therapy programs. The most in-demand specialties in the state include pediatrics, hand therapy, and neurological rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles108+
Top employerEnhance Rehabilitation
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring66
Work type88% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 108+ Occupational Therapist jobs

Elara Caring
Home Health Occupational Therapist
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Elara Caring
New 23h ago
Home Health Occupational Therapist
Elara Caring
Winnebago, Illinois
Customer Service
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
10,000+

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Elara Caring
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant COTA Home Health PRN
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Elara Caring
New 23h 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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Rush University Medical Center
Occupational Therapist NEx
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Rush University Medical Center
Added 1d ago
Occupational Therapist NEx
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$38.02 - $55.18/hr

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Rush University Medical Center
Occupational Therapist PD
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Rush University Medical Center
Added 1d ago
Occupational Therapist PD
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$10 - $375/hr

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Ignite Medical Resorts
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant- PRN
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Ignite Medical Resorts
Added 1d ago
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant- PRN
Ignite Medical Resorts
Batavia, Illinois
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$35 - $40/hr
501-1,000

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See All 108+ Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois

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

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Occupational Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
15 jobs
Springfield
5 jobs
Naperville
4 jobs
Elgin
3 jobs
Aurora
3 jobs
Evanston
3 jobs
Des Plaines
3 jobs
Oswego
2 jobs
Oak Park
2 jobs

Occupational Therapist Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

  • Enhance Rehabilitation
    Enhance Rehabilitation20
  • HealthPRO Heritage
    HealthPRO Heritage6
  • Functional Pathways
    Functional Pathways4
  • Nexus Health
    Nexus Health3
  • Advocate Aurora Health
    Advocate Aurora Health3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Insurance

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in occupational therapist jobs across Illinois.

  • Active Illinois Occupational Therapist license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
  • Master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program
  • Passing scores on the NBCOT OTR certification examination
  • Experience working in a clinical setting such as acute care, rehab, or outpatient
  • Proficiency with documenting treatment plans and progress notes in electronic health record systems
  • Strong knowledge of evidence-based interventions for assigned patient population or specialty area

Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a occupational therapist in Illinois?

To become a licensed occupational therapist in Illinois, you must complete an accredited master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy, pass the NBCOT OTR certification exam, and apply for licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Illinois does not participate in an interstate compact for OT licensure, so out-of-state applicants must apply directly and meet all state requirements before practicing.

How much do occupational therapists make in Illinois?

Occupational therapists in Illinois earn a median of about $99,700 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $73,360 for the lowest 10% to over $132,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire occupational therapists in Illinois?

Employers hiring occupational therapists in Illinois right now include Enhance Rehabilitation, HealthPRO Heritage, and Functional Pathways, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems and specialized rehabilitation centers, particularly in the Chicago metro, generate a steady volume of full-time and per diem openings throughout the year.

Which Illinois cities have the most occupational therapist jobs?

The cities with the most occupational therapist openings in Illinois are Chicago, Springfield, and Naperville. Chicago leads by a wide margin given its concentration of major hospital systems and specialty rehabilitation facilities, while surrounding suburban communities and downstate cities like Rockford and Peoria support demand through regional medical centers and school district programs.

Are there remote occupational therapist jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Occupational therapy is fundamentally hands-on, so most positions require in-person patient care. About 12% of occupational therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be in telehealth consultation, care coordination, or clinical documentation review rather than direct treatment roles.

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

The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or Level II fieldwork-to-hire programs at Illinois hospital systems like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab or Advocate Aurora Health, which regularly convert fieldwork students to staff positions. School districts across Illinois also hire new graduates under supervision during the licensure process. Candidates coming from OT assistant or rehabilitation aide roles have a natural bridge, and completing your NBCOT exam and Illinois license application before interviews gives you a clear edge.

Where can I find and apply to occupational therapist jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to occupational therapist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring right now. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly without creating an account.

See All 108+ Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois

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