Occupational Therapist Pay

O'Fallon vs Peoria: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between O'Fallon, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

O'Fallon, IL
$97,010
$46.63/hr
Peoria, IL
$99,886
$48.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricO'Fallon, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$97,010$99,886
Hourly Rate$46.63$48.03
Entry Level (P10)$68,524$67,947
25th Percentile$78,097$80,088
75th Percentile$110,064$105,533
Top Earner (P90)$126,850$131,082
Total Employed6190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing O'Fallon ($97,010) and Peoria ($99,886) occupational therapist salaries.O'FallonPeoriaMedian Salary$97,010$99,886Entry Level (P10)$68,524$67,947Top Earner (P90)$126,850$131,082US Median $103,400

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to O'Fallon.

The salary gap between O'Fallon and Peoria is $2,876 (2.96%). Peoria's median is -3.40% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in O'Fallon spans $58,326,Peoria spans $63,135. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

O'Fallon
P10 (Entry)$68,524
P25$78,097
Median$97,010
P75$110,064
P90 (Top)$126,850
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$67,947
P25$80,088
Median$99,886
P75$105,533
P90 (Top)$131,082

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($109,487 effective) pays 9.59% more than O'Fallon ($99,907 effective).

O'Fallon
Nominal: $97,010
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $99,907
Peoria
Nominal: $99,886
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $109,487

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose O'Fallon if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,886/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,082)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,487)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in O'Fallon grew 8.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Peoria over the same period.

O'Fallon, IL

+8.2%

$87,030 (2024) → $94,130 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+17.2%

$82,730 (2019) → $96,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: O'Fallon or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $99,886/year, compared to O'Fallon at $97,010/year — a difference of $2,876 (2.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between O'Fallon and Peoria?

O'Fallon occupational therapists earn $46.63/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $48.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from O'Fallon to Peoria as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing O'Fallon and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: O'Fallon = $99,907, Peoria = $109,487), job availability (6 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in O'Fallon vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $68,524 in O'Fallon and $67,947 in Peoria. The O'Fallon area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov