Occupational Therapist Salary in Wildwood, FL: $99,257 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Wildwood, FL earns a median $99,257/year (≈ $47.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Wildwood's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.4), that paycheck buys what $116,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for occupational therapists in Wildwood, Florida, stands at $99,257 in 2026, reflecting competitive compensation despite recent Medicare cut impacts on skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and outpatient OTA earnings. Salary expectations range significantly from $65,103 on the lower end (P10) to $109,584 on the higher end (P90), providing a broad spectrum for negotiation and career advancement. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and set for 2026, showcases the local market's alignment with broader trends but reveals a small dip compared to the national median of $103,400. This context is vital for both aspiring and current occupational therapists in Wildwood as they navigate their career paths and salary expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,103 | $31.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,401 | $32.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,257 | $47.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,132 | $50.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,584 | $52.68 |
Median Salary Position
4.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wildwood
In Wildwood, FL, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,481 (2026 est.). At $99,257, the local median is 4.01% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wildwood: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Wildwood Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Wildwood median: $99,257/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wildwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $101,283 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -4.01% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wildwood has a cost of living 14.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wildwood, FL has a cost-of-living index of 85.424 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $99,257 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,193 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,546
2025 BLS Actual
$96,310
2026 Current Est.
$99,257
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,546 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,823 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,141 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,446 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,509 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,257 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,294 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wildwood metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $81,546 (2019) to $96,310 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,294 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,748 (25.44%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,103 – $67,401 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,401 – $99,257 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,257 – $105,132 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,132 – $109,584 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Wildwood
With 80 occupational therapists currently employed in Wildwood, the job market appears stable yet competitive. The local cost-of-living index of 85.424 suggests that take-home pay offers reasonably strong purchasing power compared to national averages. Within this market, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings typically offer the highest salaries, while school districts may provide lower pay but often come with standard hours and benefits. Variability in compensation can depend on factors such as setting, certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, and workload expectations. To maximize potential earnings in Wildwood, therapists would benefit from pursuing additional certifications, negotiating contracts to align with SNF or hospital settings, and considering year-round positions if financial stability is a priority. Understanding these dynamics will be key for OTs looking to enhance their occupational therapist pay in Wildwood, FL.
More salary data for Wildwood, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Wildwood, FL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Wildwood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Wildwood?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $96,310 for occupational therapistsin the Wildwood metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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