Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Bonita Springs, FL: $34.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Bonita Springs, FL runs $34.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,394 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Bonita Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,842 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bonita Springs, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay for 2026 stands at $34.33, slightly below the national median of $35.74. This rate translates to meaningful opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers, who can find positions in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and schools. An occupational therapy assistant working just three days a week can generate a considerable supplemental income, benefiting from the flexibility of both part-time schedules and per-diem roles. For entry-level assistants, hourly wages begin around $24.73, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $43.20 per hour, creating a diverse earning environment for those in the field.
About the Bonita Springs Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.73 | $197.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.28 | $234.24 |
| Median (P50) | $34.33 | $274.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.16 | $305.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.20 | $345.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bonita Springs
Based on $34.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.33/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bonita Springs, FL can expect to earn approximately $71,403 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,194. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bonita Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bonita Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,373.13 | $5,950 | $71,403 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $823.88 | $3,570 | $42,842 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $549.25 | $2,380 | $28,561 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bonita Springs) | $34.33 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bonita Springs, FL earn a median of $71,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.10% below the Florida state average of $73,678.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.33/hr = $42,842/year (purchasing power: $42,502).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,403/year (purchasing power: $70,836).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bonita Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bonita Springs grew 17.5% from $28.41/hr (2019) to $33.39/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bonita Springs metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Bonita Springs
For part-time occupational therapy assistants in Bonita Springs, working a typical 24-hour week results in substantial annual earnings, even compared to full-time practitioners. Many per-diem occupational therapy assistants command rates between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts offering $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. However, recent reimbursement cuts have affected the premium pay for SNF agency roles, making it critical for practitioners to evaluate their options carefully. Hourly pay can fluctuate significantly depending on the employer type; for instance, positions in outpatient clinics may yield different compensation compared to school district contracts or home health agencies. Some assistants may prioritize health benefits over higher hourly rates, leading to trade-offs in their total compensation strategy. When negotiating wages in Bonita Springs, it’s essential to understand the nuances of pay scales and the interplay between hourly rate and benefits, enhancing one’s potential for satisfaction in both compensation and work-life balance.
More salary data for Bonita Springs, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bonita Springs in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Bonita Springs?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Bonita Springs paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Bonita Springs?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bonita Springs?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Bonita Springs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bonita Springs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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