OT Assistant Salary

Addison vs Peoria: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Addison, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Addison, IL
$62,750
$30.16/hr
Peoria, IL
$56,761
$27.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAddison, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$62,750$56,761
Hourly Rate$30.16$27.29
Entry Level (P10)$45,702$35,120
25th Percentile$53,632$38,245
75th Percentile$67,994$74,352
Top Earner (P90)$75,676$81,035
Total Employed6100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Addison ($62,750) and Peoria ($56,761) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AddisonPeoriaMedian Salary$62,750$56,761Entry Level (P10)$45,702$35,120Top Earner (P90)$75,676$81,035US Median $74,332

Verdict

Addison and Peoria are closely matched on overall occupational therapy assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Addison and Peoria is $5,989 (10.55%). Addison's median is -15.58% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Addison spans $29,974,Peoria spans $45,915. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Addison
P10 (Entry)$45,702
P25$53,632
Median$62,750
P75$67,994
P90 (Top)$75,676
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$35,120
P25$38,245
Median$56,761
P75$74,352
P90 (Top)$81,035

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Addison ($64,624 effective) pays 3.87% more than Peoria ($62,217 effective).

Addison
Nominal: $62,750
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $64,624
Peoria
Nominal: $56,761
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $62,217

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Addison if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,750/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,624)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($81,035)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Addison grew -6.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.0% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Addison, IL

+-6.5%

$65,274 (2024) → $61,035 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+-2.0%

$56,320 (2019) → $55,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Addison or Peoria?

Addison has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $62,750/year, compared to Peoria at $56,761/year — a difference of $5,989 (10.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Addison and Peoria?

Addison occupational therapy assistants earn $30.16/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $27.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Addison to Peoria as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Addison and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Addison = $64,624, Peoria = $62,217), job availability (6 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Addison vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $45,702 in Addison and $35,120 in Peoria. The Addison area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% 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 Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov