OT Assistant Salary

Miami vs Port Orange: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Miami, FL
$73,314
$35.25/hr
Port Orange, FL
$73,024
$35.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLPort Orange, FL
Median Salary$73,314$73,024
Hourly Rate$35.25$35.11
Entry Level (P10)$61,696$49,369
25th Percentile$63,835$64,244
75th Percentile$78,958$78,778
Top Earner (P90)$83,029$92,549
Total Employed1,09010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($73,314) and Port Orange ($73,024) occupational therapy assistant salaries.MiamiPort OrangeMedian Salary$73,314$73,024Entry Level (P10)$61,696$49,369Top Earner (P90)$83,029$92,549US Median $74,332

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Miami and Port Orange is $290 (0.40%). Miami's median is -1.37% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $21,333,Port Orange spans $43,180. Port Orange has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$61,696
P25$63,835
Median$73,314
P75$78,958
P90 (Top)$83,029
Port Orange
P10 (Entry)$49,369
P25$64,244
Median$73,024
P75$78,778
P90 (Top)$92,549

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Port Orange ($72,444 effective) pays 12.80% more than Miami ($64,223 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $73,314
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $64,223
Port Orange
Nominal: $73,024
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $72,444

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,314/year)
  • Larger job market (1,090 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Port Orange if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,549)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,444)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Miami grew 9.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.6% growth in Port Orange over the same period.

Miami, FL

+9.6%

$65,060 (2019) → $71,310 (2025)

Port Orange, FL

+4.6%

$67,911 (2024) → $71,028 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Miami or Port Orange?

Miami has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,314/year, compared to Port Orange at $73,024/year — a difference of $290 (0.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Port Orange?

Miami occupational therapy assistants earn $35.25/hr while Port Orange hygienists earn $35.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to Port Orange as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Port Orange. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $64,223, Port Orange = $72,444), job availability (1,090 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Miami vs Port Orange?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $61,696 in Miami and $49,369 in Port Orange. The Miami 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