Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Melbourne, FL: $76,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Melbourne, FL earns a median $76,920/year (≈ $36.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Melbourne's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $76,310 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
By 2026, professionals in the Melbourne, FL area can expect a median annual salary of $76,920 as occupational therapy assistants, which signifies a competitive position within the field relative to the national median of $74,332. The local salary range extends from $54,824 at the 10th percentile to $93,432 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a notable diversity in pay that aligns with various settings and job responsibilities. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for regional cost factors. The potential to bridge from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) not only opens doors for advanced practice but also leads to significantly increasing lifetime earnings, making Melbourne an advantageous location for aspiring therapy professionals.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,824 | $26.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,111 | $31.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,307 | $40.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,432 | $44.92 |
Median Salary Position
3.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Melbourne
In Melbourne, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,608 (2026 est.). At $76,920, the local median is 3.48% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Melbourne: You'd be above the median
How Melbourne Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Melbourne median: $76,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Melbourne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,679 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.48% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Melbourne, FL earn a median of $76,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.48% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.40% above the Florida state average of $73,679.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Melbourne has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Melbourne, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,920 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,310 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,652
2025 BLS Actual
$74,818
2026 Current Est.
$76,920
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,652 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,132 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,488 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,344 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,425 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,818 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Melbourne metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,652 (2019) to $74,818 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,430 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Melbourne 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) | $54,824 – $65,111 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,111 – $76,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,920 – $83,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,307 – $93,432 |
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 Melbourne
Looking at the local occupational therapy assistant job market, there are currently 12 COTAs employed in Melbourne, FL, highlighting a relatively small but essential workforce. With a cost of living index slightly above the national average at 100.8, the take-home pay is influenced by local living expenses, suggesting that salary should be carefully considered alongside these costs. Employers in skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher salaries compared to those in school districts, outpatient clinics, or early intervention programs. Factors contributing to the variance in wages include productivity expectations, the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on reimbursements for OTA services in certain settings, and whether contracts are year-round or aligned with the school year. To enhance salary potential, COTAs might focus on specialized skills or seek employment in high-paying environments like hospital inpatient rehab facilities, while also considering opportunities for continuing education and certification that may lead to more lucrative positions within the Melbourne market.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Melbourne, FL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Melbourne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Melbourne?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Melbourne?
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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 $74,818 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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