Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Tallahassee, FL: $32.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Tallahassee, FL runs $32.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,184 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Tallahassee's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,904 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tallahassee, Florida, the projected median hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants stands at $32.78, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This disparity highlights the unique economic landscape of the region and its impact on the earning potential for part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For those starting out, entry-level positions could see hourly wages as low as $24.88, while top earners might reach up to $39.08 per hour. These figures reflect the official BLS data, emphasizing not just what one can earn, but the potential career trajectories available within this essential health profession.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.88 | $199.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.80 | $238.44 |
| Median (P50) | $32.78 | $262.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.98 | $287.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.08 | $312.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tallahassee
Based on $32.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.78/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tallahassee, FL can expect to earn approximately $68,174 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,331. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tallahassee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tallahassee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,311.03 | $5,681 | $68,174 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $786.62 | $3,409 | $40,904 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.41 | $2,272 | $27,269 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Tallahassee) | $32.78 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tallahassee, FL earn a median of $68,184 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.27% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.50% below the Florida state average of $73,712.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.78/hr = $40,904/year (purchasing power: $43,553).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,174/year (purchasing power: $72,588).
CoL index: 93.919 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tallahassee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Tallahassee grew -8.4% from $34.79/hr (2019) to $31.88/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.70/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tallahassee 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 2.81% 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 Therapy Assistant in Tallahassee
For occupational therapy assistants working part-time in Tallahassee, specifically those on a typical 24-hour per week schedule, their annual earnings would only approximate $40,000, compared to their full-time counterparts earning significantly more. Many choose to work per-diem, where the hourly rates can range from $30 to $45, allowing greater flexibility but also varying financial stability. Travel occupational therapy assistant contracts can yield between $1,100 and $1,700 per week, advantageous for those willing to move. However, as the 15% Medicare cut for OTA services took effect in 2022, some employers have responded by compressing rates, especially in skilled nursing facilities. Depending on the type of employer—be it outpatient clinics, school districts, or home health agencies—the hourly rates can fluctuate, presenting both a benefit and a challenge. Occupational therapy assistants must weigh their compensation against benefits like health insurance, prompting some to accept lower hourly rates for job security. Skillful negotiation remains key in this profession, particularly in a market like Tallahassee, where local context can significantly alter pay discussions.
More salary data for Tallahassee, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Tallahassee in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Tallahassee?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Tallahassee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Tallahassee?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tallahassee?
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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.
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 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Tallahassee. 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, 6-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 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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