Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $75,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $75,185/year (≈ $36.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $75,181 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Palm Bay, Florida, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $75,185 in 2026, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary for this role ranges from $63,876 at the 10th percentile to $78,218 at the 90th percentile, providing a substantial variation in compensation that is indicative of the diverse settings in which COTAs operate. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the unique market dynamics at play in Palm Bay, particularly the impact of job settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. With the challenges posed by recent Medicare reimbursement cuts, the competition among these sectors continues to shape the compensation landscape for occupational therapy assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,876 | $30.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,682 | $33.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,185 | $36.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,066 | $37.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,218 | $37.61 |
Median Salary Position
1.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,342 (2026 est.). At $75,185, the local median is 1.15% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Palm Bay Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $75,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,711 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.15% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $75,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% above the Florida state average of $73,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,185 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,181 — a 0.01% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,720
2025 BLS Actual
$73,130
2026 Current Est.
$75,185
2019–2027 Growth
+4.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,298 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -0.8% from $73,720 (2019) to $73,130 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,298 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,578 (4.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $63,876 – $70,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,682 – $75,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,185 – $77,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,066 – $78,218 |
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 Palm Bay
Local employment figures show approximately 150 occupational therapy assistants currently working in Palm Bay, reflecting a solid community of professionals in the field. The cost of living index for the area sits slightly above the national average at 100.005, suggesting that while salaries may be competitive, purchasing power could be impacted by living expenses. Among the various employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the most lucrative pay, often surpassing salaries found in skilled nursing facilities and school districts. Factors contributing to the salary range include productivity standards, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, and differences in employment contracts, such as the stability of year-round work versus seasonal engagements. To maximize earning potential in Palm Bay, it is advisable for occupational therapy assistants to explore opportunities within hospital settings or consider specializing in high-demand areas such as early intervention programs, as these are likely to command higher wages.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $73,130 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Palm Bay 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
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).
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