Occupational Therapist Pay

Miami vs Royal Palm Beach: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Miami, FL
$104,585
$50.28/hr
Royal Palm Beach, FL
$99,942
$48.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLRoyal Palm Beach, FL
Median Salary$104,585$99,942
Hourly Rate$50.28$48.05
Entry Level (P10)$68,710$72,692
25th Percentile$83,324$82,006
75th Percentile$109,738$114,742
Top Earner (P90)$124,610$127,241
Total Employed2,5506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($104,585) and Royal Palm Beach ($99,942) occupational therapist salaries.MiamiRoyal Palm BeachMedian Salary$104,585$99,942Entry Level (P10)$68,710$72,692Top Earner (P90)$124,610$127,241US Median $103,400

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Royal Palm Beach.

The salary gap between Miami and Royal Palm Beach is $4,643 (4.65%). 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 Miami spans $55,900,Royal Palm Beach spans $54,549. Miami has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$68,710
P25$83,324
Median$104,585
P75$109,738
P90 (Top)$124,610
Royal Palm Beach
P10 (Entry)$72,692
P25$82,006
Median$99,942
P75$114,742
P90 (Top)$127,241

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Royal Palm Beach ($99,149 effective) pays 8.22% more than Miami ($91,617 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $104,585
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $91,617
Royal Palm Beach
Nominal: $99,942
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $99,149

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,585/year)
  • Larger job market (2,550 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Royal Palm Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($127,241)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,149)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Miami grew 30.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.0% growth in Royal Palm Beach over the same period.

Miami, FL

+30.3%

$77,880 (2019) → $101,480 (2025)

Royal Palm Beach, FL

+6.0%

$91,490 (2024) → $96,975 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Miami or Royal Palm Beach?

Miami has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $104,585/year, compared to Royal Palm Beach at $99,942/year — a difference of $4,643 (4.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Royal Palm Beach?

Miami occupational therapists earn $50.28/hr while Royal Palm Beach hygienists earn $48.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to Royal Palm Beach as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Royal Palm Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $91,617, Royal Palm Beach = $99,149), job availability (2,550 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Miami vs Royal Palm Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $68,710 in Miami and $72,692 in Royal Palm Beach. The Royal Palm Beach 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