Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Panama City, FL: $48.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Panama City, FL runs $48.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,267 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Panama City's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,168 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Panama City, FL, earn a median hourly pay of $48.21, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.71. This competitive hourly wage offers a solid opportunity for both full-time and part-time therapists, especially those working in various settings such as hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient therapy clinics. For example, a therapist working three days a week can expect to earn a substantial income, while per-diem occupational therapists can be quite fruitful, with rates generally ranging from $36.47 at the entry-level to $61.43 for top earners within this profession in the area. The figures discussed here are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the evolving landscape of therapy pay in Panama City.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.47 | $291.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.35 | $362.77 |
| Median (P50) | $48.21 | $385.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.39 | $419.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.43 | $491.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Panama City
Based on $48.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.21/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Panama City, FL can expect to earn approximately $100,280 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,854. With a cost-of-living index of 97.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Panama City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Panama City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,928.46 | $8,357 | $100,280 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,157.08 | $5,014 | $60,168 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $771.38 | $3,343 | $40,112 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Panama City) | $48.21 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Panama City, FL earn a median of $100,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.03% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 1.00% below the Florida state average of $101,280.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.21/hr = $60,168/year (purchasing power: $61,840).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,280/year (purchasing power: $103,067).
CoL index: 97.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Panama City grew 18.1% from $39.61/hr (2019) to $46.78/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.69/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Panama City 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 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapist in Panama City
Looking at the earning potential for occupational therapists who prefer part-time hours, a professional working just 24 hours weekly can bring in around $50,419 annually, a figure that contrasts markedly with a full-time therapist's income. In the per-diem realm, which attracts many occupational therapists seeking flexibility, billing rates can range between $50 and $75 per hour; for those with advanced credentials like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, earnings could soar up to $110 per hour in cash-pay settings. Moreover, the type of employer significantly influences the hourly rate: skilled nursing facilities might offer different wages compared to home health agencies or school district contracts. While some professionals may opt for lower hourly pay that includes benefits, others prioritize higher hourly rates in contract roles, trading off job security for flexibility. Negotiating hourly pay effectively may involve proving value through specialized skills or certifications, significantly influencing occupation dynamics in Panama City moving forward.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Panama City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Panama City?
Are occupational therapists in Panama City paid hourly or salary?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Panama City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov