Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in St. Petersburg, FL: $74,462 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in St. Petersburg, FL earns a median $74,462/year (≈ $35.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in St. Petersburg's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $73,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for occupational therapy assistants in St. Petersburg, Florida, is projected to be $74,462, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, spanning from $52,987 at the 10th percentile to as high as $98,333 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost considerations, thereby providing a more accurate view of earnings potential in the market. With a growth rate of 2.81% annually, occupational therapy assistants are expected to continue experiencing solid demand as healthcare services expand in response to an aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions.
About the St. Petersburg Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,987 | $25.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,388 | $30.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,462 | $35.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,698 | $39.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,333 | $47.27 |
Median Salary Position
0.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,346 (2026 est.). At $74,462, the local median is 0.17% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Petersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Petersburg Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
St. Petersburg median: $74,462/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Petersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,725 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.17% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $74,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.17% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% above the Florida state average of $73,725.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Petersburg has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Petersburg, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,462 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,871 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,618
2025 BLS Actual
$72,427
2026 Current Est.
$74,462
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Petersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,618 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,051 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,838 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,363 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,219 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,427 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,462 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Petersburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,618 (2019) to $72,427 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,937 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Petersburg 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) | $52,987 – $63,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,388 – $74,462 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,462 – $81,698 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,698 – $98,333 |
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 St. Petersburg
Currently, there are 42 occupational therapy assistants employed in the St. Petersburg area, which signifies a stable job market for this profession. The cost-of-living index stands at 100.8, slightly above the national average, which can impact the purchasing power of local salaries. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehab settings. Factors influencing salary disparities include productivity expectations, the differing demands of positions (such as weekends or PRN work), and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts for OTA services implemented in 2022. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in St. Petersburg, networking with diverse employers, considering roles in high-demand settings, and obtaining further certifications may enhance one’s value in this competitive market.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in St. Petersburg, FL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in St. Petersburg?
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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 $72,427 for occupational therapy assistantsin the St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg 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