State market profile
Florida OT job market
Compare Florida using BLS occupational therapist wage, employment, density, and concentration data from the May 2025 OEWS release, then review metro, school, and employer context.
State rank #13$95,620 mean wage10,650 OT jobs1.03 location quotient
Market snapshot
How Florida compares for occupational therapists
The state score balances pay, role depth, role density, and occupational concentration. BLS wage and job-market measures stay visible so readers can understand the rank.
Our take
Florida OT market assessment
Why it stands out
- BLS estimates 10,650 OT jobs statewide. That is a deep employment base with substantially more room to change employers or settings than a small market offers.
- The 1.03 location quotient puts OT employment near the national concentration, so pay and employer quality matter more than occupational density alone.
- The mean and median wage are close, so the published average is reasonably representative of a typical OT job in the state.
Tradeoffs that matter
- Mean pay varies by $11,940 across the listed metros. The statewide rank hides a material location decision within the state.
What to compare next
- Compare the highest- and lowest-paying Florida metros before using the statewide $99,360 median in an offer decision.
- Put Florida beside New Jersey on job count and OT concentration; nearby ranks can be built from very different kinds of opportunity.
- Compare settings separately inside the state. A strong hospital market does not automatically mean equally strong school, outpatient, or home-health options.
How to read the numbers
What the state data means in practice
Statewide averages are a useful first comparison, but your decision still depends on the metro area, employer, clinical setting, and cost of living.
Pay shape
The mean and median wage are close, so the published average is reasonably representative of a typical OT job in the state.
Market depth
BLS estimates 10,650 OT jobs statewide. That is a deep employment base with substantially more room to change employers or settings than a small market offers.
Role concentration
The 1.03 location quotient puts OT employment near the national concentration, so pay and employer quality matter more than occupational density alone.
Metro markets
Best Florida metro markets for OTs
Metro rows help separate statewide strength from the cities where jobs, wages, and OT concentration are actually concentrated.
| Metro | Rank | Mean wage | Employment | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homosassa Springs, FL Score 61.4 | #11 | $100,530 | 100 | 2.56 LQ; 2.67 per 1,000 jobs |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL Score 60.6 | #13 | $96,990 | 730 | 2.06 LQ; 2.16 per 1,000 jobs |
| Gainesville, FL Score 56.0 | #27 | $92,920 | 340 | 2.11 LQ; 2.21 per 1,000 jobs |
| Port St. Lucie, FL Score 54.6 | #34 | $91,000 | 370 | 2.05 LQ; 2.15 per 1,000 jobs |
| Sebring, FL Score 49.5 | #68 | $94,980 | 60 | 2.09 LQ; 2.18 per 1,000 jobs |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Score 49.4 | #69 | $96,110 | 1,660 | 1.10 LQ; 1.15 per 1,000 jobs |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL Score 47.5 | #83 | $95,530 | 2,550 | 0.87 LQ; 0.91 per 1,000 jobs |
| Jacksonville, FL Score 46.7 | #90 | $95,450 | 890 | 1.12 LQ; 1.17 per 1,000 jobs |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Score 45.0 | #108 | $99,470 | 1,160 | 0.79 LQ; 0.82 per 1,000 jobs |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL Score 43.3 | #128 | $88,590 | 80 | 1.81 LQ; 1.89 per 1,000 jobs |
Programs
OT and OTA programs in Florida
Program supply matters for applicants, fieldwork access, and local clinical networks. These rows point to school profiles where available.
| Program | Location | Degree | NBCOT |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdventHealth University 1-24% distance; next review 2029/2030 | Orlando, FL | OT Masters | 100% |
| Florida Gulf Coast University Campus-based; next review 2026/2027 | Fort Myers, FL | OT Masters | 100% |
| Keiser University-Daytona Beach Campus-based; next review 2030/2031 | Daytona Beach, FL | OTA Associate | 100% |
| Keiser University-Jacksonville Campus-based; next review 2033/2034 | Jacksonville, FL | OTA Associate | 100% |
| University of Florida 1-24% distance; next review 2027/2028 | Gainesville, FL | OT Doctorate | 98% |
| Florida International University Campus-based; next review 2028/2029 | Miami, FL | OT Masters | 98% |
Compare states
Other strong OT state markets
Use peer states to check whether a relocation, school decision, or salary negotiation is anchored in the right labor-market comparison.
Rank #1
New Jersey
$110,150 mean wage; 6,290 OT jobs; 1.41 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #2California
$121,920 mean wage; 13,810 OT jobs; 0.73 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #3Massachusetts
$99,730 mean wage; 6,510 OT jobs; 1.71 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #4Connecticut
$102,140 mean wage; 3,150 OT jobs; 1.77 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #5Arkansas
$104,940 mean wage; 2,160 OT jobs; 1.59 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #6Colorado
$111,620 mean wage; 3,390 OT jobs; 1.13 location quotient.
Open state profile
Florida is a credible middle-tier OT market, not a destination that wins on labor data alone. The appeal is broad rather than salary-only: it combines a substantial employer base with at least average OT concentration. The $99,360 median is the better anchor for a typical offer than the higher or lower mean. Because the page includes 10 metros, the statewide result should be used to choose a region, not to value a specific offer.