Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Pinellas Park, FL: $72,340 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Pinellas Park, FL earns a median $72,340/year (≈ $34.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Pinellas Park's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $71,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Pinellas Park, Florida, is estimated to be $72,340, slightly below the national median of $74,332. Salaries for this role range from $53,384 at the 10th percentile to $93,157 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings in which COTAs operate, such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals. Given the recent challenges posed by Medicare cuts, particularly the 15% reduction in reimbursement for OTA services effective in 2022, the economic landscape for occupational therapy assistants has shifted. This dynamic often results in varying compensation rates influenced by practice setting and shifts in demand, making it essential for professionals to navigate these realities as they consider their career paths in Pinellas Park.
About the Pinellas Park Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,384 | $25.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,824 | $30.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,179 | $37.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,157 | $44.78 |
Median Salary Position
2.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinellas Park
In Pinellas Park, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,773 (2026 est.). At $72,340, the local median is 2.68% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Pinellas Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pinellas Park Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Pinellas Park median: $72,340/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinellas Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,741 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.68% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pinellas Park, FL earn a median of $72,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.68% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.90% below the Florida state average of $73,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinellas Park has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pinellas Park, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,340 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,766 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,862
2025 BLS Actual
$70,363
2026 Current Est.
$72,340
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pinellas Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,862 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,254 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,076 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,215 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,363 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,340 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,373 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinellas Park metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,862 (2019) to $70,363 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,373 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,511 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinellas 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) | $53,384 – $62,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,824 – $72,340 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,340 – $77,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,179 – $93,157 |
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 Pinellas Park
The local job market in Pinellas Park employs around 13 occupational therapy assistants, positioning the community as a modest niche within the broader medical landscape. The cost of living index for the area stands at 100.8, slightly above the national average, which means that while salaries may seem competitive, take-home pay can be affected by local economic conditions. Typically, higher-paying opportunities are found within hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings compared to SNFs or school contracts, mainly due to differing productivity expectations and reimbursement rates. Factors like the impact of weekend shifts, PRN work, and differences in contract lengths also contribute to variations in pay between settings. For COTAs looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on inpatient rehab or pursuing additional certifications might yield better financial outcomes in Pinellas Park, FL.
More salary data for Pinellas Park, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Pinellas Park, FL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Pinellas 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 $70,363 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Pinellas 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 Pinellas 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