Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Wildwood, FL: $47.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Wildwood, FL runs $47.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,257 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Wildwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.4, 15% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,551 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wildwood, Florida, the projected occupational therapist hourly pay for 2026 is estimated at $47.72, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $49.71. This hourly rate translates to a potential annual income of about $99,257 for full-time practitioners. For part-time therapists working three days a week, the earnings may reach approximately $36,863 annually, making it a viable option for professionals seeking flexible schedules in various therapeutic settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and schools. The hourly pay ranges from $31.30 for entry-level positions to $52.68 for highly experienced therapists, indicating a spectrum of possibilities for those entering the field or advancing their careers. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.30 | $250.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.40 | $259.22 |
| Median (P50) | $47.72 | $381.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.54 | $404.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.68 | $421.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wildwood
Based on $47.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.72/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wildwood, FL can expect to earn approximately $99,251 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,260. With a cost-of-living index of 85.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wildwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wildwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,908.67 | $8,271 | $99,251 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,145.20 | $4,963 | $59,551 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $763.47 | $3,308 | $39,700 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Wildwood) | $47.72 |
| 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 Wildwood, FL earn a median of $99,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.01% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 2.00% below the Florida state average of $101,283.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.72/hr = $59,551/year (purchasing power: $69,712).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,251/year (purchasing power: $116,186).
CoL index: 85.424 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Wildwood grew 18.1% from $39.20/hr (2019) to $46.30/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.18/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 Wildwood 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 Wildwood
Examining part-time earning potential reveals that an occupational therapist working approximately 24 hours a week can earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, with annual earnings considerably lower. Many practitioners also consider per diem roles, where they can command $50-$75 per hour, especially if they work with cash-pay systems or focus on specialties like hand therapy, which may yield rates as high as $80-$110 per hour. The work environments in Wildwood—such as skilled nursing facilities or school district settings—can impact hourly earnings, so OTs may find themselves negotiating benefits like health insurance versus higher hourly wages without such advantages. For occupational therapists considering agency or travel assignments, weekly salaries can significantly increase, ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. Understanding the regional nuances and compensation structures is key for successful negotiations and career growth in this evolving field in Wildwood, FL.
More salary data for Wildwood, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Wildwood. 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, 2-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