How to Become An Occupational Therapy Assistant in Florida
Florida employs approximately 3,910 occupational therapy assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $71,630 1. Nationally, occupational therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 19.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an occupational therapy assistant in Florida, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Occupational Therapy Assistant in Florida
How do I become an occupational therapy assistant in Florida? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for occupational therapy assistants in Florida.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do occupational therapy assistants earn in Florida? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Florida is $71,630 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $59,890 and experienced professionals can earn $79,350 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Florida): $71,630 per year 1
Occupational Therapy Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Florida
Occupational Therapy Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), occupational therapy assistants wages in Florida vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 1,090 | $71,310 | $70,560 | $60,010 | $80,760 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 550 | $72,820 | $70,860 | $60,520 | $78,730 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 350 | $72,630 | $70,480 | $59,890 | $77,770 |
| Jacksonville | 340 | $70,540 | $69,060 | $59,110 | $77,070 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 200 | $72,070 | $71,040 | $61,490 | $77,750 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 150 | $73,130 | $71,030 | $62,130 | $76,080 |
| Port St. Lucie | 150 | $73,890 | $71,010 | $59,840 | $76,700 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 120 | $73,340 | $73,100 | $60,220 | $81,290 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 120 | $68,900 | $68,360 | $59,680 | $77,750 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 110 | $66,160 | $67,590 | $59,530 | $75,730 |
| Homosassa Springs | 90 | $68,380 | $68,890 | $59,100 | $77,460 |
| Gainesville | 70 | $71,240 | $67,560 | $55,910 | $76,090 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 70 | $70,630 | $68,400 | $61,180 | $73,910 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 50 | $77,690 | $77,280 | $63,070 | $82,000 |
| Tallahassee | 50 | $66,320 | $66,230 | $50,330 | $79,060 |
| Punta Gorda | 40 | $72,800 | $77,830 | $62,090 | $82,070 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Occupational therapy assistants in Florida
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest occupational therapy assistant employment within Florida according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 1,090 | $71,310 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 550 | $72,820 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 350 | $72,630 |
| Jacksonville | 340 | $70,540 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 200 | $72,070 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants in Florida? Florida currently employs approximately 3,910 occupational therapy assistants 1. Nationally, occupational therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 19.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Florida? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Florida.
How much do occupational therapy assistants earn in Florida compared to the national average? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Florida is $71,630, which is $3,290 above the national median of $68,340 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |