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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Florida: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Florida employs 3,910 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $71,630 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Florida licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Florida (May 2025)

Florida median pay: $71,630 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $59,890
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,320
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,350
Employed in Florida: 3,910
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Florida markets:

Fort Myers: $73,340 (120 employed)
Tampa Bay: $72,820 (550 employed)
Orlando: $72,630 (350 employed)
Sarasota–Bradenton: $72,070 (200 employed)
Miami–Fort Lauderdale: $71,310 (1,090 employed)
Pensacola: $70,630 (70 employed)
Jacksonville: $70,540 (340 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Florida

Prices in Florida run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $71,630 median is worth closer to $69,275 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Florida (2026–2034)

Florida is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +17.1%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 560 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Florida License and Certification Requirements

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) license — regulated by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.
Pass the NBCOT COTA examination and complete the required 2-hour Preventing Medical Errors course.
Apply to the board with supervised work/fieldwork experience documented; renew with 20 CE hours biennially.

Official requirements: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice →

Training in Florida

Home health and skilled nursing dominate Florida OTA hiring thanks to the retiree population, with school-based roles in the big districts as the alternative track. Bilingual OTAs are in demand in South Florida.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Florida include:

ATA Career Education — Associate
AdventHealth University — Associate
Ana G. Mendez University — Associate
Broward College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Florida

Real Florida outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Aards II Inc — Aventura
Advance Physical Therapy Network LLC — Aventura
Select Physical Therapy — Aventura
Legacy Healthcare Services Inc — Belleair
Advanced Physical Therapy Asso — Boca Raton
Physical Therapy of Boca Raton — Boca Raton

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Florida?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Florida is $71,630 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,890, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,350. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Florida?

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) license, overseen by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Florida?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Florida metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Florida metro areas, Fort Myers leads at $73,340, followed by Tampa Bay ($72,820), Orlando ($72,630). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Florida?

Real Florida options include ATA Career Education, AdventHealth University, Ana G. Mendez University. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Florida?

Florida projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +17.1% from 2026 to 2034, with about 560 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Florida statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Florida wages · Florida licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.