OT Assistant Salary

Cape Coral vs Miami: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Cape Coral, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cape Coral, FL
$75,401
$36.25/hr
Miami, FL
$73,314
$35.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCape Coral, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$75,401$73,314
Hourly Rate$36.25$35.25
Entry Level (P10)$61,912$61,696
25th Percentile$65,521$63,835
75th Percentile$78,228$78,958
Top Earner (P90)$83,574$83,029
Total Employed1201,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cape Coral ($75,401) and Miami ($73,314) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Cape CoralMiamiMedian Salary$75,401$73,314Entry Level (P10)$61,912$61,696Top Earner (P90)$83,574$83,029US Median $74,332

Verdict

Cape Coral, FL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Miami.

The salary gap between Cape Coral and Miami is $2,087 (2.85%). Cape Coral's median is +1.44% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cape Coral spans $21,662,Miami spans $21,333. Cape Coral has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cape Coral
P10 (Entry)$61,912
P25$65,521
Median$75,401
P75$78,228
P90 (Top)$83,574
Miami
P10 (Entry)$61,696
P25$63,835
Median$73,314
P75$78,958
P90 (Top)$83,029

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cape Coral ($73,670 effective) pays 14.71% more than Miami ($64,223 effective).

Cape Coral
Nominal: $75,401
CoL Index: 102.349
Adjusted: $73,670
Miami
Nominal: $73,314
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $64,223

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cape Coral if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,401/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,574)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,670)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Larger job market (1,090 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Cape Coral grew 8.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Miami over the same period.

Cape Coral, FL

+8.8%

$67,390 (2019) → $73,340 (2025)

Miami, FL

+9.6%

$65,060 (2019) → $71,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Cape Coral or Miami?

Cape Coral has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $75,401/year, compared to Miami at $73,314/year — a difference of $2,087 (2.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cape Coral and Miami?

Cape Coral occupational therapy assistants earn $36.25/hr while Miami hygienists earn $35.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cape Coral to Miami as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cape Coral and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cape Coral = $73,670, Miami = $64,223), job availability (120 vs 1,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Cape Coral vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $61,912 in Cape Coral and $61,696 in Miami. The Cape Coral area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% 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 Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov