OT Assistant Salary

Champaign vs Quincy: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Champaign, IL
$62,550
$30.07/hr
Quincy, IL
$61,598
$29.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChampaign, ILQuincy, IL
Median Salary$62,550$61,598
Hourly Rate$30.07$29.61
Entry Level (P10)$44,486$42,961
25th Percentile$51,703$53,626
75th Percentile$68,256$67,695
Top Earner (P90)$80,284$75,844
Total Employed706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Champaign ($62,550) and Quincy ($61,598) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ChampaignQuincyMedian Salary$62,550$61,598Entry Level (P10)$44,486$42,961Top Earner (P90)$80,284$75,844US Median $74,332

Verdict

Champaign, IL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Quincy.

The salary gap between Champaign and Quincy is $952 (1.55%). Champaign's median is -15.85% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Champaign spans $35,798,Quincy spans $32,883. Champaign has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Champaign
P10 (Entry)$44,486
P25$51,703
Median$62,550
P75$68,256
P90 (Top)$80,284
Quincy
P10 (Entry)$42,961
P25$53,626
Median$61,598
P75$67,695
P90 (Top)$75,844

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Champaign ($67,473 effective) pays 6.36% more than Quincy ($63,438 effective).

Champaign
Nominal: $62,550
CoL Index: 92.704
Adjusted: $67,473
Quincy
Nominal: $61,598
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $63,438

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Champaign if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,550/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,284)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,473)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Quincy if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Champaign grew -6.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.5% growth in Quincy over the same period.

Champaign, IL

+-6.2%

$64,840 (2019) → $60,840 (2025)

Quincy, IL

+-6.5%

$64,075 (2024) → $59,914 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Champaign or Quincy?

Champaign has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $62,550/year, compared to Quincy at $61,598/year — a difference of $952 (1.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Champaign and Quincy?

Champaign occupational therapy assistants earn $30.07/hr while Quincy hygienists earn $29.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Champaign to Quincy as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Champaign and Quincy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Champaign = $67,473, Quincy = $63,438), job availability (70 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Champaign vs Quincy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $44,486 in Champaign and $42,961 in Quincy. The Champaign 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