Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Tampa, FL: $74,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Tampa, FL earns a median $74,866/year (≈ $35.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $74,206 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected annual salary of $74,866 in 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Tampa, Florida, are positioned slightly above the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession varies significantly from $62,221 at the 10th percentile to $80,942 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities in this growing field. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate that productivity expectations, often driven by visits-per-day metrics, greatly influence salary outcomes. The job market in Tampa is robust, suggesting that qualified professionals can find rewarding placements tailored to their skills and experience.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,221 | $29.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,644 | $31.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,866 | $35.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,776 | $37.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,942 | $38.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,721 (2026 est.). At $74,866, the local median is 0.72% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Tampa Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Tampa median: $74,866/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,687 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.72% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tampa, FL earn a median of $74,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.72% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.60% above the Florida state average of $73,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,866 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,206 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,270
2025 BLS Actual
$72,820
2026 Current Est.
$74,866
2019–2027 Growth
+12.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 6.7% from $68,270 (2019) to $72,820 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,700 (12.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $62,221 – $65,644 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,644 – $74,866 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,866 – $77,776 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,776 – $80,942 |
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 Tampa
In Tampa, about 550 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, contributing to a competitive job market. The cost of living index stands at 100.89, indicating a slightly higher expense relative to the national average, which can impact take-home purchasing power. The highest-paid positions are generally found within hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, as they often offer better compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities or school district contracts. The compensation discrepancies primarily arise from factors such as productivity expectations, pay differentials for weekend shifts, and the impact of the 15% cut from Medicare reimbursements on services provided by occupational therapy assistants. Those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Tampa FL should consider focusing on roles in inpatient rehab or outpatient clinics any opportunities to work weekends or during holiday seasons, which could yield additional financial benefits.
More salary data for Tampa, 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 $72,820 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Tampa 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