Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Panama City, FL: $35.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Panama City, FL runs $35.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,103 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Panama City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,868 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Panama City, the current projections for occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stand at $35.15, slightly below the national median of $35.74. This hourly wage reflects the various employment settings where occupational therapy assistants typically find work, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health services. For part-time professionals working three days a week, they can expect to earn a steady income, translating to a significant contribution even if they do not work full time. The hourly rate ranges widely from $25.80 for entry-level positions up to $41.29 for top earners in the field, providing a compelling picture of earning potential based on experience and specific job demands. Such figures, based on estimated annual salary data, highlight the value and opportunities available for COTAs in this area of Florida.
About the Panama City 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) | $25.80 | $206.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.19 | $241.48 |
| Median (P50) | $35.15 | $281.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.52 | $300.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.29 | $330.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Panama City
Based on $35.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.15/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Panama City, FL can expect to earn approximately $73,114 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,181. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Panama City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Panama City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,406.03 | $6,093 | $73,114 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $843.62 | $3,656 | $43,868 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $562.41 | $2,437 | $29,245 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Panama City) | $35.15 |
| 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 Panama City, FL earn a median of $73,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.65% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% below the Florida state average of $73,693.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.15/hr = $43,868/year (purchasing power: $43,520).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,114/year (purchasing power: $72,533).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Panama City grew 17.5% from $29.09/hr (2019) to $34.19/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.14/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 Panama City 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 Panama City
Analyzing the part-time earnings further, a three-day workweek (approximately 24 hours) for an occupational therapy assistant equates to an annual take-home pay that can vary tremendously. In contrast to full-time positions, which may maximize earnings, part-time roles offer flexibility but can come with lower overall income. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants in Panama City, billing rates typically hover between $30 and $45 per hour, while travel contracts can provide substantial weekly earnings ranging from $1,100 to $1,700. However, trends such as declined premium pay in skilled nursing facilities following the 15% Medicare cut for OTA services have also impacted earnings. Different employers may offer varying pay rates, with outpatient clinics and early intervention programs often providing slightly lower rates but benefits packages, making the trade-off critical to consider. Professionals should be strategic when negotiating their hourly pay, keeping in mind the trade-offs between higher pay and available health insurance or benefits.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Panama City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Panama City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Panama City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Panama City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Panama City?
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 Panama City. 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 Panama City 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