Occupational Therapist Pay

Dunedin vs Miami: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Dunedin, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dunedin, FL
$97,089
$46.68/hr
Miami, FL
$104,585
$50.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDunedin, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$97,089$104,585
Hourly Rate$46.68$50.28
Entry Level (P10)$73,563$68,710
25th Percentile$82,144$83,324
75th Percentile$111,777$109,738
Top Earner (P90)$124,120$124,610
Total Employed62,550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dunedin ($97,089) and Miami ($104,585) occupational therapist salaries.DunedinMiamiMedian Salary$97,089$104,585Entry Level (P10)$73,563$68,710Top Earner (P90)$124,120$124,610US Median $103,400

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dunedin.

The salary gap between Dunedin and Miami is $7,496 (7.72%). Miami's median is +1.15% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dunedin spans $50,557,Miami spans $55,900. Miami has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Dunedin
P10 (Entry)$73,563
P25$82,144
Median$97,089
P75$111,777
P90 (Top)$124,120
Miami
P10 (Entry)$68,710
P25$83,324
Median$104,585
P75$109,738
P90 (Top)$124,610

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dunedin ($96,318 effective) pays 5.13% more than Miami ($91,617 effective).

Dunedin
Nominal: $97,089
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $96,318
Miami
Nominal: $104,585
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $91,617

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dunedin if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,318)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,585/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,610)
  • Larger job market (2,550 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Dunedin grew 6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.3% growth in Miami over the same period.

Dunedin, FL

+6.0%

$88,878 (2024) → $94,206 (2025)

Miami, FL

+30.3%

$77,880 (2019) → $101,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Dunedin or Miami?

Miami has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $104,585/year, compared to Dunedin at $97,089/year — a difference of $7,496 (7.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dunedin and Miami?

Dunedin occupational therapists earn $46.68/hr while Miami hygienists earn $50.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dunedin to Miami as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dunedin and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dunedin = $96,318, Miami = $91,617), job availability (6 vs 2,550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Dunedin vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $73,563 in Dunedin and $68,710 in Miami. The Dunedin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov