OT Assistant Salary

Miami vs Royal Palm Beach: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Miami, FL
$73,314
$35.25/hr
Royal Palm Beach, FL
$72,714
$34.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLRoyal Palm Beach, FL
Median Salary$73,314$72,714
Hourly Rate$35.25$34.96
Entry Level (P10)$61,696$52,711
25th Percentile$63,835$61,964
75th Percentile$78,958$78,614
Top Earner (P90)$83,029$87,400
Total Employed1,0906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($73,314) and Royal Palm Beach ($72,714) occupational therapy assistant salaries.MiamiRoyal Palm BeachMedian Salary$73,314$72,714Entry Level (P10)$61,696$52,711Top Earner (P90)$83,029$87,400US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Miami and Royal Palm Beach is $600 (0.83%). 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 Miami spans $21,333,Royal Palm Beach spans $34,689. Royal Palm Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$61,696
P25$63,835
Median$73,314
P75$78,958
P90 (Top)$83,029
Royal Palm Beach
P10 (Entry)$52,711
P25$61,964
Median$72,714
P75$78,614
P90 (Top)$87,400

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Royal Palm Beach ($72,137 effective) pays 12.32% more than Miami ($64,223 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $73,314
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $64,223
Royal Palm Beach
Nominal: $72,714
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $72,137

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

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

Choose Royal Palm Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,400)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,137)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Miami grew 9.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.6% growth in Royal Palm Beach over the same period.

Miami, FL

+9.6%

$65,060 (2019) → $71,310 (2025)

Royal Palm Beach, FL

+4.6%

$67,623 (2024) → $70,727 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Miami or Royal Palm Beach?

Miami has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,314/year, compared to Royal Palm Beach at $72,714/year — a difference of $600 (0.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Royal Palm Beach?

Miami occupational therapy assistants earn $35.25/hr while Royal Palm Beach hygienists earn $34.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to Royal Palm Beach as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Royal Palm Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $64,223, Royal Palm Beach = $72,137), job availability (1,090 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Miami vs Royal Palm Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $61,696 in Miami and $52,711 in Royal Palm Beach. 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