Highest Paying Jobs in Peoria, IL for 2026
If you’re seeking a lucrative career in Peoria, Illinois, you’re in the right place. The highest-paying jobs span various industries, including healthcare, technology, and finance. This updated list for 2026 highlights the top-paying professions, helping you streamline your job search in the Peoria area.
Using the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other reliable sources, we present the 24 highest-paying jobs in Peoria for 2026. While most of these roles demand significant experience, there are also well-compensated entry-level positions available for candidates with the appropriate educational qualifications.
The highest-paying job in Peoria remains the Cardiothoracic Surgeon, boasting an average annual salary of $412,620 and an entry-level salary of $212,000.
Whether you’re contemplating a career change, considering relocating to Peoria, or are a recent graduate mapping out your future, this guide to the highest-paying jobs and industries in Peoria will assist you in making informed decisions about your next career move.
Here’s a quick overview of the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Peoria, Illinois:
Detailed List of Highest Paying Jobs in Peoria
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary | Entry Level Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $412,620 | $212,000 |
| 2 | Anesthesiologist | $404,965 | $199,000 |
| 3 | Rheumatologist | $321,482 | $157,000 |
| 4 | Cardiologist | $286,542 | $146,000 |
| 5 | Hospitalist Physician | $262,170 | $182,000 |
| 6 | Psychiatrist | $257,766 | $152,000 |
| 7 | Neurologist | $254,515 | $142,000 |
| 8 | Anesthesiologist/Physician | $250,704 | $129,000 |
| 9 | Gastroenterologist | $244,845 | $148,000 |
| 10 | Physician | $241,072 | $125,000 |
| 11 | Hospitalist | $237,806 | $155,000 |
| 12 | Endocrinologist | $222,128 | $136,000 |
| 13 | Family Medicine Physician | $217,562 | $128,000 |
| 14 | Nephrologist | $211,526 | $126,000 |
| 15 | General Internist | $209,730 | $129,000 |
| 16 | Ob/Gyn Physician | $208,717 | $101,000 |
| 17 | Pediatric Hospitalist | $205,417 | $129,000 |
| 18 | Internal Medicine Physician | $205,068 | $121,000 |
| 19 | Family Practice Physician | $199,798 | $121,000 |
| 20 | Optometrist | $184,842 | $96,000 |
| 21 | Dentist | $167,678 | $113,000 |
| 22 | General Dentist | $165,182 | $111,000 |
| 23 | Associate Dentist | $158,961 | $106,000 |
| 24 | Family Practitioner | $156,974 | $70,000 |
How We Determined the Highest Paid Jobs in Peoria for 2026
To identify the highest-paying jobs in Peoria, we analyzed the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and other reputable sources.
Zippia’s data science team enhances this data by continuously monitoring millions of job postings daily to extract published salary information. We correlate these salaries with companies, locations, and job titles from various datasets.
Ultimately, we calculate a weighted average of these inputs to produce an estimated salary for each job title in Peoria.
In total, our team analyzed salary data for over 1,000 job titles in Peoria to pinpoint the most lucrative positions.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for 2026. This marks our eighth ranking of the highest-paying jobs in Peoria.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
