Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Peoria, IL: $48.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Peoria, IL runs $48.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Peoria's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.2, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,936 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Peoria, Illinois, earn a median hourly rate of $48.03, slightly below the national median of $49.71. This pay scale is competitive for professionals working in various settings, including hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. For those considering part-time employment or per-diem work, the hourly compensation can be particularly attractive. With an hourly pay range stretching from $32.67 at the entry-level to $63.02 for the highest earners, occupational therapy positions in Peoria offer diverse opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. These figures are drawn from official BLS data, projected to reflect this occupational landscape in 2026.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.67 | $261.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.50 | $308.03 |
| Median (P50) | $48.03 | $384.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.74 | $405.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.02 | $504.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Peoria
Based on $48.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.03/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Peoria, IL can expect to earn approximately $99,894 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,631. With a cost-of-living index of 91.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Peoria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Peoria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,921.04 | $8,324 | $99,894 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,152.62 | $4,995 | $59,936 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $768.42 | $3,330 | $39,958 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Peoria) | $48.03 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Peoria, IL earn a median of $99,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.40% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 0.30% above the Illinois state average of $99,587.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.03/hr = $59,936/year (purchasing power: $65,697).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,894/year (purchasing power: $109,496).
CoL index: 91.231 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Peoria grew 17.2% from $39.77/hr (2019) to $46.60/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.50/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapist in Peoria
Part-time occupational therapists working a typical schedule of three days a week can expect a significantly different financial situation compared to full-time therapists. Working 24 hours a week, a therapist could anticipate taking home around $59,775 annually, contrasting sharply with the higher earnings of full-time professionals. Additionally, per diem occupational therapist pay in Peoria can vary widely, with many professionals billing $50-$75 per hour. For CHT-certified hand therapists, hourly rates can soar to $80-$110 in cash-pay practices, while travel OT contracts frequently offer between $1,800 and $2,800 per week. Hourly rates also differ based on employer type: skilled nursing facilities and early intervention programs may provide lower hourly wages compared to outpatient clinics or private practice setups. Some therapists are willing to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, highlighting the ongoing trade-offs in the field. For those pursuing these options in Peoria, negotiating pay effectively, especially within agency settings, can yield favorable results. Understanding the nuances of occupational therapist hourly pay in IL is crucial for making informed career decisions.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Peoria in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Peoria. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov