Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Palm Bay, FL: $36.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Palm Bay, FL runs $36.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,185 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Palm Bay's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,113 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Palm Bay, the projected median hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants is $36.15, slightly exceeding the national hourly median of $35.74. This competitive rate reflects the local demand for skilled practitioners in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health environments. For part-time workers, specifically those working three days a week, the hourly wage supports a balanced lifestyle while still offering satisfactory compensation. The hourly pay range for these professionals spans from $30.71 for entry-level positions to approximately $37.61 for seasoned occupational therapy assistants, indicating strong earning potential right from the start.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.71 | $245.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.98 | $271.83 |
| Median (P50) | $36.15 | $289.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.05 | $296.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.61 | $300.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Bay
Based on $36.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.15/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Bay, FL can expect to earn approximately $75,188 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,378. With a cost-of-living index of 100.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Bay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Bay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,445.92 | $6,266 | $75,188 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $867.55 | $3,759 | $45,113 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $578.37 | $2,506 | $30,075 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Palm Bay) | $36.15 |
| 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 Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $75,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% above the Florida state average of $73,711.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.15/hr = $45,113/year (purchasing power: $45,110).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,188/year (purchasing power: $75,184).
CoL index: 100.005 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+4.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Palm Bay grew -0.8% from $35.44/hr (2019) to $35.16/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.16/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 Palm 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 Palm Bay
For part-time occupational therapy assistants working approximately 24 hours per week, the annual take-home can vary dramatically, especially when considering the different employment arrangements available. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Palm Bay typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, although contract positions can offer larger weekly payouts between $1,100 and $1,700 for travel COTAs. Employment in different settings influences pay significantly. For instance, those in skilled nursing facilities may experience wage compression due to changes in Medicare reimbursements. While accepting lower hourly rates may come with benefits like health insurance, many opt for higher pay without benefits. As a result, negotiations in Palm Bay should focus on both the hourly rate and the overall benefits package, catering to individual needs as COTAs plan their career pathways, including the potential transition to master’s level occupational therapy education programs.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Palm Bay in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Palm Bay?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Palm Bay paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Palm Bay?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Palm 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 Palm 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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