Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Jacksonville, FL: $72,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Jacksonville, FL earns a median $72,522/year (≈ $34.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.5), that paycheck buys what $72,898 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Salary expectations for occupational therapy assistants in Jacksonville, Florida demonstrate a solid compensation framework, with 2026 estimates indicating a median annual salary of $72,522. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $74,332, reflecting regional pay trends that can be influenced by factors such as productivity expectations and visit frequency across varying healthcare settings. The salary range for this profession in Jacksonville extends from $60,771 at the 10th percentile to $79,236 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse earning potential shaped by experience and practice area. Such data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, providing a reliable snapshot of the local job market for occupational therapy assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,771 | $29.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,613 | $31.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,522 | $34.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,025 | $37.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,236 | $38.09 |
Median Salary Position
2.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,465 (2026 est.). At $72,522, the local median is 2.44% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be above the median
How Jacksonville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $72,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,701 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.44% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jacksonville, FL earn a median of $72,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.44% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.60% below the Florida state average of $73,701.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 0.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, FL has a cost-of-living index of 99.484 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $72,522 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,898 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,330
2025 BLS Actual
$70,540
2026 Current Est.
$72,522
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 11.4% from $63,330 (2019) to $70,540 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,230 (17.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $60,771 – $65,613 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,613 – $72,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,522 – $77,025 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,025 – $79,236 |
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 Jacksonville
Occupational therapy assistants in Jacksonville enjoy a competitive job market, with approximately 340 individuals employed in this role. The cost of living index sits at 99.484, slightly below the national average, contributing to a favorable purchasing power for those in the field. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer the highest salaries, highlighting how setting impacts pay scales. Variability in compensation arises from factors like weekend or PRN premiums, productivity expectations, and differences in contract types between school districts and outpatient clinics. The 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which took effect in 2022, also influences salaries, particularly in outpatient and skilled nursing environments. Aspiring occupational therapy assistants in Jacksonville should consider pathways like bridging from COTA to MOT and explore employment opportunities in high-paying sectors to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $70,540 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Jacksonville 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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