Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Florida: $73,559 (2026)
💡Quick Answer:Across Florida's 84 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $73,559/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011.Because Florida sits at BEA RPP 100.8 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,975 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naples ($77,690), Hialeah ($75,421), Melbourne ($74,818).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Florida is projected at $73,558, which is slightly below the national median of $74,332, reflecting a difference of about 1.0%. The highest salaries in Florida can be found in Naples, where earnings are expected to reach $79,873, whereas Lakeland offers the lowest at $68,019. This roughly $11,854 salary gap can be attributed to several factors, including cost of living, demand for services, and local healthcare funding.
Florida has specific state licensing requirements and defined scope of practice laws which impact job roles and salaries. The demand for occupational therapy services is growing, driven by an aging population and increased awareness of rehabilitation services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.81% for the profession.
Overall, the employment outlook for occupational therapy assistants in the state appears positive, with a total of 4,514 individuals projected to be employed in the field across 84 metro areas. Major cities like Hialeah, Melbourne, Fort Myers, and Sanford also show promising salaries, ranging from $76,143 to $77,540, reflecting a consistent demand for skilled professionals in various regions of Florida.
Florida Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Entry Level (10th %ile)
$59,692
avg across 84 cities
Median
$73,559
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$83,286
avg across 84 cities
Overall salary range in Florida: $49,139 (lowest entry-level) to $99,186 (highest top earner)
Florida vs National Average
Florida
$73,559
National Median
$74,332
Florida occupational therapy assistants earn 1.04% less than the national median ($-773/year difference).
Florida Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Florida range from $59,692 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,286 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,559. The Florida median is $773 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $35.37/hr. Approximately 4,514 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 84 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,743
2025 BLS Actual
$71,548
2026 Current Est.
$73,559
2019–2027 Growth
+15.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Florida (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Year
Annual Salary
Status
2019
$65,743
Actual
2020
$67,252
Actual
2021
$63,048
Actual
2022
$65,435
Actual
2023
$68,104
Actual
2024
$70,676
Actual
2025
$71,548
Actual
2026(current)
$73,559
Estimated
2027
$75,626
Projected
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florida metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 8.8% from $65,743 (2019) to $71,548 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,883 (15.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florida 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.
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Florida in 2026?
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The average median occupational therapy assistant salary in Florida is $73,559/year across 84 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $68,019 in Lakeland to $79,873 in Naples. This makes Florida 1.04% below the national median of $74,332. The state employs approximately 4,514 occupational therapy assistants.
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Florida?
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Naples offers the highest occupational therapy assistant salary in Florida at $79,873/year ($38.40/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naples ($79,873), Hialeah ($77,540), Melbourne ($76,920). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for occupational therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed occupational therapy assistants.
How does Florida occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
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Florida's average occupational therapy assistant salary of $73,559 is 1.04% below the national median of $74,332 in 2026. The state employs approximately 4,514 occupational therapy assistants across 84 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Florida?
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Entry-level occupational therapy assistants (10th percentile) in Florida earn approximately $59,692/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $49,139 in lower-paying areas to $64,842 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Florida?
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Florida employs approximately 4,514 occupational therapy assistants across 84 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the occupational therapy field expands and the population ages.
Which Florida city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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When adjusted for cost of living, Naples offers the highest purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants in Florida, with an adjusted salary of $77,396 (nominal: $79,873, CoL index: 103.2). This means your dollar goes 3% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
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.
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Florida. State averages are employment-weighted across 84 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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).
