Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Tallahassee, FL: $68,184 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Tallahassee, FL earns a median $68,184/year (≈ $32.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Tallahassee's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $72,599 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Tallahassee, FL, is set at $68,184, presenting a competitive landscape when compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with the lower percentile at $51,744 and the upper percentile reaching $81,282. These figures are derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, indicating both the potential earning capacity and the expectations for productivity in the local job market. An exciting feature of Tallahassee's occupational therapy landscape is its combination of community-based needs and diverse employment settings, which can impact earnings significantly.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,744 | $24.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,994 | $29.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,184 | $32.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,846 | $35.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,282 | $39.08 |
Median Salary Position
8.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tallahassee
In Tallahassee, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,538 (2026 est.). At $68,184, the local median is 8.27% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Tallahassee: You'd be above the median
How Tallahassee Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Tallahassee median: $68,184/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tallahassee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,712 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.27% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tallahassee, FL earn a median of $68,184 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.27% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.50% below the Florida state average of $73,712.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tallahassee has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tallahassee, FL has a cost-of-living index of 93.919 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,184 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,599 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,360
2025 BLS Actual
$66,320
2026 Current Est.
$68,184
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tallahassee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,734 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,184 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,100 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tallahassee metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -8.3% from $72,360 (2019) to $66,320 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,100 by 2027 — a total increase of $-2,260 (-3.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tallahassee 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) | $51,744 – $61,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,994 – $68,184 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,184 – $74,846 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,846 – $81,282 |
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 Tallahassee
Currently, there are about 50 occupational therapy assistants employed in Tallahassee, which suggests a moderately competitive job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.919, indicating that wages in this region may stretch further than in many other locations across the U.S. Employers in skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay, although hospital inpatient rehab positions can also be lucrative. The disparity in compensation can be attributed to several factors, including workplace setting, productivity expectations, and the ongoing effects of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services. Aspiring COTAs should consider strategies such as seeking opportunities in higher-paying settings and staying abreast of the evolving regulations to maximize their income potential while navigating the local market dynamics.
More salary data for Tallahassee, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Tallahassee, FL in 2026?
Is Tallahassee, FL a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Tallahassee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Tallahassee?
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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 $66,320 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Tallahassee 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, 6-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