Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Pinellas Park, FL: $34.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Pinellas Park, FL runs $34.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,340 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Pinellas Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,406 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Pinellas Park, FL, can expect a median hourly pay of $34.78 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate positions COTAs well to thrive in a variety of settings, from skilled nursing facilities and hospitals to outpatient clinics and even home health visits. For part-time workers, such as those seeking shifts three days a week, this hourly wage translates into a dependable income. Entry-level positions start around $25.66, while experienced practitioners can earn as much as $44.78 an hour, reflecting a significant range for those working within this vital profession. As a reminder, these figures are derived from annual estimates reflected in per-hour calculations.
About the Pinellas Park 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) | $25.66 | $205.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.21 | $241.64 |
| Median (P50) | $34.78 | $278.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.10 | $296.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.78 | $358.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pinellas Park
Based on $34.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.78/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pinellas Park, FL can expect to earn approximately $72,344 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,737. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pinellas Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pinellas Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,391.22 | $6,029 | $72,344 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $834.73 | $3,617 | $43,406 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.49 | $2,411 | $28,937 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Pinellas Park) | $34.78 |
| 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 Pinellas Park, FL earn a median of $72,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.68% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.90% below the Florida state average of $73,741.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.78/hr = $43,406/year (purchasing power: $43,062).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,344/year (purchasing power: $71,770).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pinellas Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Pinellas Park grew 17.5% from $28.78/hr (2019) to $33.83/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.76/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 Pinellas Park 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 Pinellas Park
In the part-time scenario, a 24-hour work week for an occupational therapy assistant translates into roughly $43,537 annually, which could be a strategic choice for those balancing other commitments. For those opting for per diem work, billing rates typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts providing broader earning opportunities, sometimes between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. Within Pinellas Park, hourly pay varies across employer types, with skilled nursing facilities often offering lower hourly rates, while outpatient clinics and school contracts may provide more competitive compensation. However, some professionals may choose roles that offer lower pay but include essential health benefits, while others pursue higher hourly rates in settings without additional perks. Knowing how to negotiate effectively based on these dynamics is key for occupational therapy assistants navigating the job market in Pinellas Park, especially in the wake of recent reimbursement cuts affecting Medicare.
More salary data for Pinellas Park, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Pinellas Park in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Pinellas Park?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Pinellas Park paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Pinellas Park?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Pinellas Park?
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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 Pinellas Park. 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 Pinellas Park 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