Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wellington, FL: $72,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Wellington, FL earns a median $72,042/year (≈ $34.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Wellington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $71,470 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wellington, Florida, occupational therapy assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $72,042 in 2026, reflecting a slight dip compared to the national average of $74,332. Salaries in this role range from $52,915 at the 10th percentile to $92,002 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied landscape of compensation driven by factors such as employment setting. The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Wellington is shaped by the structural divide between skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), hospital inpatient rehabilitation, and school district contracts. This divide has been accentuated post-Medicare cuts, which have significantly impacted reimbursement rates and consequently, the salaries offered in these environments.
About the Wellington Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,915 | $25.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,212 | $29.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,042 | $34.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,887 | $38.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,002 | $44.23 |
Median Salary Position
3.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wellington
In Wellington, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,087 (2026 est.). At $72,042, the local median is 3.08% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wellington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wellington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Wellington median: $72,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wellington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,738 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -3.08% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wellington, FL earn a median of $72,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.08% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the Florida state average of $73,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wellington has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wellington, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,042 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,470 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,615
2025 BLS Actual
$70,073
2026 Current Est.
$72,042
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wellington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,001 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,829 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,271 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,946 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,998 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,073 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wellington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $59,615 (2019) to $70,073 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,451 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wellington 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) | $52,915 – $62,212 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,212 – $72,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,042 – $80,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,887 – $92,002 |
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 Wellington
Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently only 10 occupational therapy assistants employed in Wellington, presenting a small yet potentially competitive employment sector. With a cost of living index at 100.8, the purchasing power for these salaries can be somewhat constrained compared to national averages. Pay scales among local employers differ significantly; hospital-based positions generally offer the highest salaries, followed by outpatient clinics, while school districts often present more modest compensation packages. The wide salary range can be attributed to several factors, including setting dynamics, productivity expectations, contract duration, and the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts. For occupational therapy assistants aspiring to maximize their pay in Wellington, pursuing opportunities in higher-paying settings such as hospitals and outpatient clinics, or specializing in areas unaffected by the cuts, could prove advantageous.
More salary data for Wellington, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Wellington, FL in 2026?
Is Wellington, FL a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Wellington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Wellington?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Wellington?
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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 $70,073 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Wellington 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 Wellington 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