Occupational Therapist Salary in Florida: $102,659 (2026)
💡Quick Answer:Across Florida's 87 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $102,659/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122.Because Florida sits at BEA RPP 100.8 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,844 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naples ($107,590), Sarasota ($105,574), North Port ($104,030).
In 2026, occupational therapist salaries in Florida are projected to average $102,659, closely aligning with the national median of $103,400, indicating a slight difference of -0.7%. The highest-paying city in the state is Naples, with an average salary of $110,882, while Plant City offers the lowest at $95,886. This $14,996 disparity can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for services, and facility types in different regions.
Florida's occupational therapy landscape is influenced by specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can vary from other states. An annual growth rate of 3.06% is expected, reflecting ongoing demand driven by an aging population and increased awareness of therapeutic services. Currently, there are approximately 11,048 occupational therapists employed across 87 metro areas in Florida.
In addition to Naples, other top-paying cities include Sarasota at $108,805, North Port at $107,213, West Palm Beach at $106,940, and Homosassa Springs at $106,853. This diverse array of employment opportunities highlights the strong outlook for occupational therapy in Florida, making it a viable career option for those considering this field.
Florida Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Entry Level (10th %ile)
$70,981
avg across 87 cities
Median
$102,659
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$121,676
avg across 87 cities
Overall salary range in Florida: $60,403 (lowest entry-level) to $144,074 (highest top earner)
Florida vs National Average
Florida
$102,659
National Median
$103,400
Florida occupational therapists earn 0.72% less than the national median ($-741/year difference).
Florida Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Florida range from $70,981 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $121,676 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $102,659. The Florida median is $741 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $49.36/hr. Approximately 11,048 occupational therapists are employed across 87 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,157
2025 BLS Actual
$99,611
2026 Current Est.
$102,659
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Florida (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Year
Annual Salary
Status
2019
$84,157
Actual
2020
$86,696
Actual
2021
$83,570
Actual
2022
$91,344
Actual
2023
$95,680
Actual
2024
$98,050
Actual
2025
$99,611
Actual
2026(current)
$102,659
Estimated
2027
$105,801
Projected
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florida metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.4% from $84,157 (2019) to $99,611 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,644 (25.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florida 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.
How much do occupational therapists make in Florida in 2026?
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The average median occupational therapist salary in Florida is $102,659/year across 87 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $95,886 in Plant City to $110,882 in Naples. This makes Florida 0.72% below the national median of $103,400. The state employs approximately 11,048 occupational therapists.
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Florida?
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Naples offers the highest occupational therapist salary in Florida at $110,882/year ($53.31/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naples ($110,882), Sarasota ($108,805), North Port ($107,213). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for occupational therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed occupational therapists.
How does Florida occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
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Florida's average occupational therapist salary of $102,659 is 0.72% below the national median of $103,400 in 2026. The state employs approximately 11,048 occupational therapists across 87 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Florida?
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Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) in Florida earn approximately $70,981/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $60,403 in lower-paying areas to $93,290 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.
How many occupational therapists are employed in Florida?
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Florida employs approximately 11,048 occupational therapists across 87 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Florida one of the larger employers of occupational therapists nationally. Demand continues to grow as the occupational therapy field expands and the population ages.
Which Florida city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
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When adjusted for cost of living, Wildwood offers the highest purchasing power for occupational therapists in Florida, with an adjusted salary of $116,193 (nominal: $99,257, CoL index: 85.424). This means your dollar goes 17% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across Florida. State averages are employment-weighted across 87 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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).
