Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Oakland Park, FL: $70,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Oakland Park, FL earns a median $70,352/year (≈ $33.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Oakland Park's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $69,794 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oakland Park, Florida, the compensation for occupational therapy assistants highlights the challenges posed by structural divides within the industry. The median annual salary is projected to reach $70,352 in 2026, with a salary range from $52,966 to $84,211. Local estimates also reveal the complexities of the market, especially in light of recent Medicare cuts that have impacted earnings across settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and schools. While the compensation here falls below the national median of $74,332, job opportunities remain relatively stable, particularly as demand grows in various healthcare environments, underscoring the need for informed career planning among aspiring professionals.
About the Oakland Park Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,966 | $25.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,404 | $29.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,352 | $33.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,575 | $37.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,211 | $40.49 |
Median Salary Position
5.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakland Park
In Oakland Park, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,245 (2026 est.). At $70,352, the local median is 5.35% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oakland Park: You'd be above the median
How Oakland Park Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Oakland Park median: $70,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oakland Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,667 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -5.35% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oakland Park, FL earn a median of $70,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.35% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.50% below the Florida state average of $73,667.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oakland Park has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oakland Park, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,352 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,794 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,217
2025 BLS Actual
$68,429
2026 Current Est.
$70,352
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oakland Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,217 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,425 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,422 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,427 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,429 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakland Park metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $58,217 (2019) to $68,429 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,112 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,966 – $61,404 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,404 – $70,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,352 – $77,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,575 – $84,211 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Oakland Park
Examining the local job market reveals that Oakland Park employs six occupational therapy assistants, a notable figure considering the area's cost-of-living index of 100.8, which is slightly above the national average. This cost structure implies that take-home pay may not stretch as far as it would in lower-cost areas. Employers in the region, particularly hospitals and outpatient clinics, generally offer the highest wages compared to skilled nursing facilities and school contracts that may be affected by seasonal employment patterns. The salary variation can largely be attributed to factors such as practice settings, productivity expectations, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on service rates. For occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize their pay in Oakland Park, exploring roles in hospital settings, negotiating contracts, and considering continued education through pathways like COTA-to-MOT can significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Oakland Park, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Oakland Park, FL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Oakland Park?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Oakland 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $68,429 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Oakland Park metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oakland 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