Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Sunrise, FL: $71,622 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Sunrise, FL earns a median $71,622/year (≈ $34.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Sunrise's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $71,054 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sunrise, Florida, the median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is projected to be $71,622 by 2026, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $51,727 at the 10th percentile to $88,210 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variances, highlight the differing pay structures resulting from the settings in which COTAs operate. The ongoing effects of Medicare cuts have led to distinct pay across environments such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), hospitals, and schools, with pay often influenced by factors including contractual arrangements and service delivery requirements.
About the Sunrise Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,727 | $24.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,354 | $29.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,622 | $34.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,297 | $37.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,210 | $42.41 |
Median Salary Position
3.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sunrise
In Sunrise, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,483 (2026 est.). At $71,622, the local median is 3.65% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Sunrise: You'd be above the median
How Sunrise Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Sunrise median: $71,622/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sunrise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,685 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -3.65% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sunrise, FL earn a median of $71,622 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the Florida state average of $73,685.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sunrise has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sunrise, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,622 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,054 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,267
2025 BLS Actual
$69,664
2026 Current Est.
$71,622
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sunrise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,267 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,479 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,907 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,567 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,607 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,664 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,622 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,634 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sunrise metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,267 (2019) to $69,664 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,634 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,367 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sunrise 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) | $51,727 – $61,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,354 – $71,622 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,622 – $78,297 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,297 – $88,210 |
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 Sunrise
With 23 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, Sunrise's job market remains stable, albeit competitive. The cost-of-living index stands at 100.8, slightly above the national average, which affects the purchasing power of professionals in the region. Occupational therapy assistant pay in Sunrise, FL, varies significantly across different employers, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering lower pay due to the post-Medicare-cut landscape. Alternatively, hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings may provide better wages, along with outpatient clinics that pay a premium for weekend and per diem work. For COTAs looking to maximize their salaries, pursuing opportunities in high-demand environments and considering year-round contracts over school-year positions can prove beneficial, especially in a market influenced by recent reimbursement changes and productivity expectations.
More salary data for Sunrise, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Sunrise, FL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Sunrise?
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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 $69,664 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Sunrise 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 Sunrise 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