Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Port St. Lucie, FL: $36.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Port St. Lucie, FL runs $36.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,966 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Port St. Lucie's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.2, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,575 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Port St. Lucie, FL earn a median hourly rate of $36.52, surpassing the national median of $35.74. This competitive hourly pay reflects the demand for COTAs in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, outpatient clinics, and home health environments. Those working part-time, such as three days a week, can find this rate beneficial for managing personal commitments while earning a livable wage. With an entry-level hourly range starting at $29.58 and top earners reaching $37.91, COTAs in Port St. Lucie enjoy a substantial earning potential backed by official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data projected for 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.58 | $236.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.24 | $257.93 |
| Median (P50) | $36.52 | $292.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.90 | $303.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.91 | $303.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port St. Lucie
Based on $36.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.52/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port St. Lucie, FL can expect to earn approximately $75,958 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,822. With a cost-of-living index of 100.23 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Port St. Lucie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port St. Lucie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,460.72 | $6,330 | $75,958 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $876.43 | $3,798 | $45,575 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $584.29 | $2,532 | $30,383 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Port St. Lucie) | $36.52 |
| 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 St. Lucie, FL earn a median of $75,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.20% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.10% above the Florida state average of $73,682.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.52/hr = $45,575/year (purchasing power: $45,471).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,958/year (purchasing power: $75,785).
CoL index: 100.228 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Port St. Lucie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Port St. Lucie grew 17.5% from $30.22/hr (2019) to $35.52/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.54/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 St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie
As part-time occupational therapy assistants typically work around 24 hours a week, their annual income may fall noticeably short compared to full-time positions. For those considering per diem work, rates can vary significantly, with many billing between $30 and $45 an hour. However, the rising trend of lower pay due to the 15% Medicare cut affecting COTA services can impact earnings in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient services. Employment type also influences hourly rates; for instance, working in a school district may provide stability but lower pay, compared to home health or agency roles that might offer higher rates but lack consistent benefits. Therefore, COTAs often must weigh the choice between slightly lower hourly pay with health insurance versus higher pay without benefits, particularly in the current economic climate. For contract negotiations, emphasizing flexibility and specialized skills can be advantageous in securing a better hourly rate in Port St. Lucie.
More salary data for Port St. Lucie, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Port St. Lucie in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Port St. Lucie?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Port St. Lucie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Port St. Lucie?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Port St. Lucie?
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 Port St. Lucie. 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, 6-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