Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in North Miami Beach, FL: $33.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in North Miami Beach, FL runs $33.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,015 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against North Miami Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,008 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In North Miami Beach, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) is $33.66, which falls slightly below the national median of $35.74. This competitive rate reflects the important role COTAs play in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. Entry-level positions start around $25.08, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $41.26 per hour. The hourly rates here are estimated from annual salary data, indicating that OTAs in North Miami Beach can expect reasonable compensation for both part-time work (such as a three-day workweek) and per-diem opportunities—a particularly favorable option in flexibility-driven environments.
About the North Miami Beach 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) | $25.08 | $200.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.19 | $233.50 |
| Median (P50) | $33.66 | $269.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.88 | $295.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.26 | $330.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Miami Beach
Based on $33.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.66/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Miami Beach, FL can expect to earn approximately $70,013 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,392. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in North Miami Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Miami Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,346.40 | $5,834 | $70,013 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $807.84 | $3,501 | $42,008 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $538.56 | $2,334 | $28,005 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (North Miami Beach) | $33.66 |
| 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 North Miami Beach, FL earn a median of $70,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.81% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.00% below the Florida state average of $73,700.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.66/hr = $42,008/year (purchasing power: $41,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,013/year (purchasing power: $69,457).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Miami Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in North Miami Beach grew 17.5% from $27.85/hr (2019) to $32.74/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.61/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 North Miami Beach 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 North Miami Beach
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, would earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, taking home around $42,500 annually. For many in this profession, per diem work is appealing; they might charge anywhere from $30 to $45 per hour depending on their employer, with travel assignments opening potential weekly earnings between $1,100 and $1,700. Occupational therapy assistants find their pay varies across employer types in North Miami Beach, such as skilled nursing facilities versus outpatient clinics. While some may opt for positions that offer lower hourly rates but include health benefits, others are willing to forgo such offerings for higher pay. When negotiating hourly rates, being informed about compensation standards and industry changes, such as the effects of the 15% Medicare cut, allows COTAs to advocate effectively for their worth while considering future pathways, including COTA-to-MOT bridge programs.
More salary data for North Miami Beach, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in North Miami Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in North Miami Beach?
Are occupational therapy assistants in North Miami Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in North Miami Beach?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in North Miami Beach?
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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 North Miami Beach. 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 North Miami Beach 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