How Much Does an Occupational Therapist Make in Florida?

As with all other states, Florida requires occupational therapists to have a license to practice. Becoming licensed involves graduating from an accredited occupational therapy program, completing a minimum of six months supervised fieldwork, and passing an exam accepted by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy. Fulfilling these requirements takes some work, but can lead to a lucrative salary in a satisfying healthcare career.

Averages

Of the approximately 98,000 occupational therapists working in the United States in 2009, an estimated 5,730 were employed in Florida, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary for occupational therapists in Florida was $35.14 per hour, or $73,090 per year. That was a bit higher than the nationwide average for this occupation of $70,680 per year.

Salary Range

The salary range for occupational therapists in Florida is very wide. The bottom 10 percent of occupational therapist salaries there in 2009 were at $35,740 per year and below, while the top 10 percent of occupational therapists were earning $104,890 and higher. The middle 50 percent of salaries were in the range of $60,890 to $88,690 per year.

High-Paying Areas

Occupational therapists in numerous cities in Florida earn a higher average salary than the statewide average. In the Panama City-Lynn Haven metro area, occupational therapists were making $73,120 per year on average, in the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville area $74,030, in the Sebastian-Vero Beach area $77,090, in the greater Fort Lauderdale metro area $79,390, in the Naples-Marco Island area $79,650, in Ocala $80,540 and in Port St. Lucie $81,450. The greater Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg metro area had the highest average pay for occupational therapists in the state at $86,850 per year.

Other Areas

Occupational therapists in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area had average salaries closest to the statewide average in 2009, at $73,020 per year. The lowest pay in the state was in the northeast nonmetropolitan area at $46,280 on average, the northwest nonmetropoolitan area at $54,320, and in Gainesville at $54,480. Average salaries for occupational therapists were in the range of about $61,000 to $67,000 in the greater metro areas of Orlando, Tallahassee, Bradenton, Pensacola and in the south nonmetropolitan area. Average salaries were in the range of about $68,000 to $73,000 in the greater metro areas of Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami and West Palm Beach.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Therapists
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Therapists - Occupational Employment and Wages
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment Statistics Query System
• Florida Department of Health: Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Applicant Information