OT Assistant Salary

Cutler Bay vs Orlando: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cutler Bay, FL
$73,263
$35.22/hr
Orlando, FL
$74,671
$35.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCutler Bay, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$73,263$74,671
Hourly Rate$35.22$35.90
Entry Level (P10)$53,959$61,573
25th Percentile$63,117$64,544
75th Percentile$79,928$77,560
Top Earner (P90)$88,969$79,955
Total Employed10350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cutler Bay ($73,263) and Orlando ($74,671) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Cutler BayOrlandoMedian Salary$73,263$74,671Entry Level (P10)$53,959$61,573Top Earner (P90)$88,969$79,955US Median $74,332

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cutler Bay.

The salary gap between Cutler Bay and Orlando is $1,408 (1.92%). Orlando's median is +0.46% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cutler Bay spans $35,010,Orlando spans $18,382. Cutler Bay has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cutler Bay
P10 (Entry)$53,959
P25$63,117
Median$73,263
P75$79,928
P90 (Top)$88,969
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$61,573
P25$64,544
Median$74,671
P75$77,560
P90 (Top)$79,955

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($73,627 effective) pays 1.30% more than Cutler Bay ($72,682 effective).

Cutler Bay
Nominal: $73,263
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $72,682
Orlando
Nominal: $74,671
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $73,627

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cutler Bay if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,969)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,671/year)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,627)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Cutler Bay grew 4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.1% growth in Orlando over the same period.

Cutler Bay, FL

+4.6%

$68,134 (2024) → $71,261 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+19.1%

$60,990 (2019) → $72,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Cutler Bay or Orlando?

Orlando has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $74,671/year, compared to Cutler Bay at $73,263/year — a difference of $1,408 (1.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cutler Bay and Orlando?

Cutler Bay occupational therapy assistants earn $35.22/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $35.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cutler Bay to Orlando as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cutler Bay and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cutler Bay = $72,682, Orlando = $73,627), job availability (10 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Cutler Bay vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,959 in Cutler Bay and $61,573 in Orlando. The Orlando 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