Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Gainesville, FL: $35.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Gainesville, FL runs $35.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,242 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Gainesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.7, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,945 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, Florida, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $35.21, slightly trailing the national hourly median of $35.74. This competitive rate provides a solid earning base for both full-time and part-time practitioners. For part-time workers, such as those operating on a typical 3-day work schedule, that equates to approximately $672 per week, which is beneficial for those seeking flexible work arrangements in settings like skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health sectors. The hourly range for occupational therapy assistants in Gainesville varies from $27.64 for entry-level roles to $37.61 for those with more experience, reflecting a robust market for this essential profession according to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.64 | $221.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.09 | $240.74 |
| Median (P50) | $35.21 | $281.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.23 | $289.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.61 | $300.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gainesville
Based on $35.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.21/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gainesville, FL can expect to earn approximately $73,242 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,255. With a cost-of-living index of 96.73 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gainesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gainesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,408.50 | $6,103 | $73,242 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $845.10 | $3,662 | $43,945 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $563.40 | $2,441 | $29,297 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Gainesville) | $35.21 |
| 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 Gainesville, FL earn a median of $73,242 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Florida state average of $73,684.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.21/hr = $43,945/year (purchasing power: $45,429).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,242/year (purchasing power: $75,715).
CoL index: 96.733 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Gainesville grew 17.5% from $29.14/hr (2019) to $34.25/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.20/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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville
Examining the earning potential for occupational therapy assistants reveals various pathways for income generation. A part-time occupational therapy assistant working 24 hours a week could take home around $39,168 annually, compared to those working full-time, who can expect a significantly higher income. In the per diem sphere, where rates typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, COTAs often find flexibility and variety in their work. Travel contracts can offer even more lucrative pay, with weekly earnings between $1,100 and $1,700. However, working for different employers, whether they be skilled nursing facilities, school districts, or outpatient clinics, may yield differing pay rates. Some COTAs opt for positions with lower hourly compensation that include benefits like health insurance, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Understanding this trade-off and negotiating effectively for hourly wages is crucial for occupational therapy assistants in Gainesville, especially in light of changes due to the 15% Medicare Part B cut that has impacted pay rates across various settings.
More salary data for Gainesville, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Gainesville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Gainesville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Gainesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Gainesville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Gainesville?
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 Gainesville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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