OT Assistant Salary

Apopka vs Miami: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Apopka, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Apopka, FL
$72,463
$34.84/hr
Miami, FL
$73,314
$35.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricApopka, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$72,463$73,314
Hourly Rate$34.84$35.25
Entry Level (P10)$53,966$61,696
25th Percentile$63,077$63,835
75th Percentile$77,456$78,958
Top Earner (P90)$93,558$83,029
Total Employed81,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Apopka ($72,463) and Miami ($73,314) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ApopkaMiamiMedian Salary$72,463$73,314Entry Level (P10)$53,966$61,696Top Earner (P90)$93,558$83,029US Median $74,332

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Apopka.

The salary gap between Apopka and Miami is $851 (1.17%). Miami's median is -1.37% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Apopka spans $39,592,Miami spans $21,333. Apopka has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Apopka
P10 (Entry)$53,966
P25$63,077
Median$72,463
P75$77,456
P90 (Top)$93,558
Miami
P10 (Entry)$61,696
P25$63,835
Median$73,314
P75$78,958
P90 (Top)$83,029

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Apopka ($71,888 effective) pays 11.93% more than Miami ($64,223 effective).

Apopka
Nominal: $72,463
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $71,888
Miami
Nominal: $73,314
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $64,223

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Apopka if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,558)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,888)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,314/year)
  • Larger job market (1,090 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Apopka grew 4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Miami over the same period.

Apopka, FL

+4.6%

$67,389 (2024) → $70,482 (2025)

Miami, FL

+9.6%

$65,060 (2019) → $71,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Apopka or Miami?

Miami has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,314/year, compared to Apopka at $72,463/year — a difference of $851 (1.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Apopka and Miami?

Apopka occupational therapy assistants earn $34.84/hr while Miami hygienists earn $35.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Apopka to Miami as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Apopka and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Apopka = $71,888, Miami = $64,223), job availability (8 vs 1,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Apopka vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,966 in Apopka and $61,696 in Miami. The Miami 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