Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Cutler Bay, FL: $35.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Cutler Bay, FL runs $35.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,263 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Cutler Bay's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,958 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Cutler Bay, FL, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $35.22, which aligns closely with the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This figure is essential for those considering part-time positions, which often involve three days a week or daily per-diem roles within various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. The hourly pay range for these professionals in Cutler Bay stretches from $25.94 for entry-level positions to $42.77 for top earners. These rates are projected estimates based on annual salary data and provide a solid foundation for COTAs aiming to establish competitive compensation expectations in the local market.
About the Cutler Bay 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) | $25.94 | $207.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.35 | $242.80 |
| Median (P50) | $35.22 | $281.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.43 | $307.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.77 | $342.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cutler Bay
Based on $35.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.22/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cutler Bay, FL can expect to earn approximately $73,263 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,267. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cutler Bay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cutler Bay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,408.91 | $6,105 | $73,263 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $845.34 | $3,663 | $43,958 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $563.56 | $2,442 | $29,305 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Cutler Bay) | $35.22 |
| 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 Cutler Bay, FL earn a median of $73,263 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.44% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Florida state average of $73,706.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.22/hr = $43,958/year (purchasing power: $43,609).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,263/year (purchasing power: $72,682).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cutler Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cutler Bay grew 17.5% from $29.15/hr (2019) to $34.26/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.21/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 Cutler Bay 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 Cutler Bay
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $43,670 annually, which varies significantly from full-time earnings due to fewer hours worked. In addition to traditional employment, many COTAs turn to per-diem and agency opportunities where rates typically fall between $30 to $45 per hour. However, travel contracts may offer substantial weekly pay between $1,100 and $1,700, although the implementation of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has influenced rates, especially in skilled nursing settings. Among different employer types in Cutler Bay, hourly rates can differ significantly; positions within public schools or early intervention programs may offer lower pay but provide health insurance benefits, while those in outpatient clinics might feature higher pay without benefits. For local occupational therapy assistants, negotiating hourly rates thoughtfully is crucial, understanding the regional cost of living and weighing the trade-offs between salary and benefits effectively.
More salary data for Cutler Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cutler Bay in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Cutler Bay?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Cutler Bay paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Cutler Bay?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Cutler Bay?
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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 Cutler Bay. 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 Cutler Bay 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