Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Daytona Beach, FL: $69,626 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Daytona Beach, FL earns a median $69,626/year (≈ $33.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Daytona Beach's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $69,073 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Daytona Beach, FL, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,626 in 2026. This figure reflects the ongoing impacts of the structural divide among employers such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), hospitals, and school systems, particularly in the context of recent Medicare cuts. Salaries for COTAs in the area range from $50,650 at the lower tenth percentile to $88,258 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight challenges faced by practitioners amidst fluctuating reimbursement rates and job settings. As the local market stabilizes, occupational therapy assistant pay in Daytona Beach continues to reflect wider national trends while adjusting for the unique economic landscape of the region.
About the Daytona Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,650 | $24.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,758 | $28.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,626 | $33.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,780 | $37.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,258 | $42.43 |
Median Salary Position
6.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daytona Beach
In Daytona Beach, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,608 (2026 est.). At $69,626, the local median is 6.33% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daytona Beach: You'd be above the median
How Daytona Beach Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Daytona Beach median: $69,626/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daytona Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,678 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.33% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Daytona Beach, FL earn a median of $69,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.33% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.50% below the Florida state average of $73,678.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daytona Beach has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daytona Beach, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,626 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,073 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,616
2025 BLS Actual
$67,723
2026 Current Est.
$69,626
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Daytona Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,956 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,822 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,183 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,768 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,723 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,626 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daytona Beach metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,616 (2019) to $67,723 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,967 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daytona Beach 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,650 – $59,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,758 – $69,626 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,626 – $77,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,780 – $88,258 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Daytona Beach
In Daytona Beach, the job market for occupational therapy assistants includes a modest pool of only 14 professionals, signaling competitive dynamics. With a cost of living index at 100.8, take-home purchasing power remains relatively balanced against the national average. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most lucrative positions when compared to outpatient clinics, school district contracts, and home health agencies. However, varying pay is heavily influenced by factors such as productivity expectations, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on certain settings, and whether contracts are year-round or tied to school schedules. COTAs may find that maximizing their earnings can hinge on working in hospital rehab settings or taking on PRN shifts, which often come with premium pay. As the field adapts, understanding these elements will be crucial for those asking how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Daytona Beach, ensuring they remain informed and strategically positioned in their career paths.
More salary data for Daytona Beach, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Daytona Beach, FL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Daytona Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Daytona Beach?
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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
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 $67,723 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Daytona Beach metropolitan area. A 2.81% 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
Salary data for Daytona Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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