Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Plant City, FL: $69,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Plant City, FL earns a median $69,763/year (≈ $33.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Plant City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $69,209 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in Plant City, FL, stands at $69,763, which reflects a slight deviation from the national median of $74,332. This salary range spans from $51,280 at the 10th percentile to $85,032 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments based on 2025 BLS data, indicating a market that may present opportunities for growth relative to emerging trends in healthcare settings. Factors such as career advancement through bridging COTA to MOT programs could further enhance lifetime earnings for dedicated professionals within the local job market.
About the Plant City Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,280 | $24.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,189 | $28.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,763 | $33.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,141 | $36.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,032 | $40.88 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plant City
In Plant City, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,752 (2026 est.). At $69,763, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Plant City: You'd be above the median
How Plant City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Plant City median: $69,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plant City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,667 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.15% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Plant City, FL earn a median of $69,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.30% below the Florida state average of $73,667.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plant City has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plant City, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,763 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,209 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,729
2025 BLS Actual
$67,856
2026 Current Est.
$69,763
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Plant City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,936 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,891 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,879 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,723 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plant City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,729 (2019) to $67,856 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,994 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plant City 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) | $51,280 – $60,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,189 – $69,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,763 – $76,141 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,141 – $85,032 |
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 Plant City
Employment levels for occupational therapy assistants in Plant City are currently modest, with only 7 professionals working in this sector, which can create both competition and opportunity within the local community. The cost of living index for Plant City is at 100.8, slightly above the national average, which affects overall take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers in skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest compensation, likely driven by greater productivity expectations and patient acuity, particularly in light of recent Medicare reimbursement cuts for OTA-provided services. To maximize salary potential, aspiring COTAs in Plant City may consider focusing on settings with higher pay rates and seeking continual professional development to remain competitive in a fluctuating market.
More salary data for Plant City, 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 $67,856 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Plant City 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 Plant City 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