Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Port Orange, FL: $35.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Port Orange, FL runs $35.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,024 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Port Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,817 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Orange, FL, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $35.11, slightly below the national median of $35.74. This competitive wage provides a robust income opportunity for part-time workers, such as those seeking three-day-a-week schedules who could earn an estimated $1,300 weekly for 24 hours of work. Additionally, per-diem occupational therapy assistants can find themselves in various settings including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. With an hourly pay range from $23.74 for entry-level roles to as high as $44.50 for top earners, Port Orange presents diverse earning opportunities driven by experience and workplace environment. These hourly rates stem from annual salary estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
About the Port Orange 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) | $23.74 | $189.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.88 | $247.07 |
| Median (P50) | $35.11 | $280.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.88 | $303.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.50 | $355.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port Orange
Based on $35.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.11/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port Orange, FL can expect to earn approximately $73,028 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,132. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Port Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,404.38 | $6,086 | $73,028 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $842.63 | $3,651 | $43,817 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $561.75 | $2,434 | $29,211 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Port Orange) | $35.11 |
| 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 Port Orange, FL earn a median of $73,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.76% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% below the Florida state average of $73,687.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.11/hr = $43,817/year (purchasing power: $43,469).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,028/year (purchasing power: $72,448).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Port Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Port Orange grew 17.5% from $29.05/hr (2019) to $34.15/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.10/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 Port Orange 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 Port Orange
Part-time occupational therapy assistants focusing on a 3-day work week could see yearly earnings averaging around $62,000, a substantial amount, though it still falls short of their full-time counterparts who typically enjoy greater benefits as part of a complete compensation package. Per diem positions, which are often favored for their flexibility, offer variable pay rates that can range from $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the specific agency or contract. With recent cuts in Medicare reimbursements affecting skilled nursing facilities, many COTAs are experiencing pressure to negotiate hourly pay, especially in outpatient settings. Depending on the type of employer—be it school districts, hospital inpatient rehabilitation, or home health agencies—hourly rates can differ significantly. Some occupational therapy assistants may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for stable benefits, while others prefer higher hourly rates, navigating the trade-offs inherent in choosing an employer. To optimize earnings, COTAs in Port Orange should consider negotiating their rates based on the demand and cost of living, leveraging their unique qualifications and experience to secure favorable terms.
More salary data for Port Orange, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Port Orange in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Port Orange?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Port Orange paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Port Orange?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Port Orange?
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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 Port Orange. 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 Port Orange 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