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Specialized Education Services
Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Occupational Therapy AssistantFull-Time

Listed compensation

$60k-$68k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 18m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Responsibilities

Shine on as a Occupational Therapist Assistant

In special education and alternative education settings nationwide, the team members of Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) shine a positive light on students who need academic, emotional, social, and behavioral support and uncover the unique learner within. Have a profound impact, grow, learn, and thrive as part of our team.

The purpose of this position is to provide services to students who are eligible for occupational therapy intervention in accordance with their IEP/ISP. The occupational therapist assistant may also provide assessment if requested, in accordance with state and district requirements.

Provide Occupational Therapy intervention for students utilizing exercises and equipment to facilitate fine motor coordination based on the goals and objectives included in the student’s IEP/ISP.

Monitor student progress.

Test and evaluate students (if requested) to determine their need, or continuing need, for occupational therapy.

Consult with classroom teachers regarding occupational therapy plans for each student to assure that intervention is targeted to address the student’s educational needs and incorporated into the classroom as appropriate and possible.

Communicate with parents on a regular basis to assure that they are informed with regard to student progress, and that interventions are incorporated into home activities as appropriate and possible.

Creates solutions to challenges for individual students, which are based in research and sound professional judgment.

  • Make referrals to community resources as needed.
  • Complete required paperwork in a timely and well-organized manner.
  • Other duties may be assigned.

SESI. R3

Qualifications

Requires a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in occupational therapy assistant, as required by state and contract. NBCOT Certification and/or valid State Certification as specified in the contract.

Ability to work independently. Motivated and well-organized.

Good communication skills with adults and students

Posted Salary Range

USD $60,000.00 - USD $67,500.00 /Yr.

Physical Requirements

Ability to run short distances and move swiftly in response to student needs, including bending, kneeling, and crouching.

Ability to lift and assist students with mobility challenges, often requiring the handling of up to 50 pounds or more.

Skill in managing fine motor tasks, such as helping students with writing, manipulating small objects, or using adaptive devices.

Ability to operate a computer or tablet for up to 8 hours daily.

Capacity to notice and respond to non-verbal cues from students

Capacity to remain calm and composed during physically and emotional demanding situations, ensuring student safety and well-being

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

IEP/ISP implementationStudent assessmentProgress monitoringClassroom consultationParent communicationResearch-based solutionsCommunity resource referralDocumentationEmotional supportAcademic support

Occupational Therapist Career Context

In Illinois, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$93k (286 salary observations; 885 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (5,405 salary observations; 28,087 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$64k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $64k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Occupational Therapy market look like in Illinois?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$60k–$68kOccupational Therapy median $73k (middle half $67k–$78k)15 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Illinois vs national$93k median in Illinois$97k nationally (−5%)286 state / 5,405 national salary observations
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$64k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Occupational Therapy listings in Illinois289 active8,889 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedIllinois Occupational Therapist listings: 18% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 14% offer loan repayment347 active listings, Nov 2026
New Occupational Therapy listings3,122 in the last 30 days1,573 the 30 days before (+98%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Occupational Therapy pay trend+4.5% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top OTA Jobs

1 matches · ranked by pay
#1

COTA / Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant - Home Health

Adoration Health · Sweetwater, Tennessee

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Occupational Therapy Assistant listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,043 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

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About Specialized Education Services

Education Administration Programs
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
201-500 employees

Living in Hoffman Estates

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$386k≈ 6.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,039/mo≈ 41% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
29 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.