Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Port St. Lucie, FL: $75,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Port St. Lucie, FL earns a median $75,966/year (≈ $36.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Port St. Lucie's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.2), that paycheck buys what $75,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Port St. Lucie is projected to reach a median of $75,966, reflecting a slight advantage over the national figure of $74,332. Salaries in this field range from $61,522 at the lower end to $78,855 for those in the top 10% of earners. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Office of Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, highlights the relatively competitive compensation available to occupational therapy assistants in the region. Given the productivity expectations that come with this role, where visits per day can significantly shape overall earnings, Port St. Lucie's job market offers a solid base for both new and experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,522 | $29.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,053 | $32.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,966 | $36.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,824 | $37.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,855 | $37.91 |
Median Salary Position
2.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port St. Lucie
In Port St. Lucie, FL, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,333 (2026 est.). At $75,966, the local median is 2.2% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port St. Lucie: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Port St. Lucie Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Port St. Lucie median: $75,966/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port St. Lucie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $73,682 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +2.20% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Port St. Lucie, FL earn a median of $75,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.20% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.10% above the Florida state average of $73,682.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port St. Lucie has a cost of living 0.23% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Port St. Lucie, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.228 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,966 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,793 — a 0.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,863
2025 BLS Actual
$73,890
2026 Current Est.
$75,966
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Port St. Lucie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,863 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port St. Lucie metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,863 (2019) to $73,890 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,238 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port St. Lucie 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) | $61,522 – $67,053 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,053 – $75,966 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,966 – $78,824 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,824 – $78,855 |
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 Port St. Lucie
At present, around 150 occupational therapy assistants are employed in Port St. Lucie, illustrating a stable demand for these practitioners. With a cost-of-living index of 100.228, living expenses slightly exceed the national average, which influences take-home earnings. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the highest compensation levels. Factors such as weekend and PRN premiums, as well as the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on services provided by occupational therapy assistants, contribute to the variability in salaries. To maximize pay, it may be advantageous for practitioners to seek positions in outpatient clinics or home health agencies, as these settings often present more flexible hours and opportunities for performance bonuses. Engaging in continuing education or pursuing a COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway can also enhance career prospects and salary potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Port St. Lucie, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Port St. Lucie, FL in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Port St. Lucie?
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How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Port St. Lucie?
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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 $73,890 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Port St. Lucie 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, 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