OT Assistant Salary

Orlando vs Winter Springs: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Orlando, FL
$74,671
$35.90/hr
Winter Springs, FL
$70,604
$33.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLWinter Springs, FL
Median Salary$74,671$70,604
Hourly Rate$35.90$33.95
Entry Level (P10)$61,573$53,565
25th Percentile$64,544$61,927
75th Percentile$77,560$78,040
Top Earner (P90)$79,955$85,170
Total Employed3508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($74,671) and Winter Springs ($70,604) occupational therapy assistant salaries.OrlandoWinter SpringsMedian Salary$74,671$70,604Entry Level (P10)$61,573$53,565Top Earner (P90)$79,955$85,170US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Orlando and Winter Springs is $4,067 (5.76%). 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 Orlando spans $18,382,Winter Springs spans $31,605. Winter Springs has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$61,573
P25$64,544
Median$74,671
P75$77,560
P90 (Top)$79,955
Winter Springs
P10 (Entry)$53,565
P25$61,927
Median$70,604
P75$78,040
P90 (Top)$85,170

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($73,627 effective) pays 5.12% more than Winter Springs ($70,044 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $74,671
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $73,627
Winter Springs
Nominal: $70,604
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $70,044

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Winter Springs if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,170)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Orlando grew 19.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.6% growth in Winter Springs over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+19.1%

$60,990 (2019) → $72,630 (2025)

Winter Springs, FL

+4.6%

$65,661 (2024) → $68,674 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Orlando or Winter Springs?

Orlando has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $74,671/year, compared to Winter Springs at $70,604/year — a difference of $4,067 (5.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Winter Springs?

Orlando occupational therapy assistants earn $35.90/hr while Winter Springs hygienists earn $33.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Winter Springs as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Winter Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $73,627, Winter Springs = $70,044), job availability (350 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Orlando vs Winter Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $61,573 in Orlando and $53,565 in Winter Springs. 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