Occupational Therapist Pay

Cape Coral vs Miami: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Cape Coral, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cape Coral, FL
$103,936
$49.97/hr
Miami, FL
$104,585
$50.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCape Coral, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$103,936$104,585
Hourly Rate$49.97$50.28
Entry Level (P10)$69,411$68,710
25th Percentile$85,797$83,324
75th Percentile$108,739$109,738
Top Earner (P90)$128,227$124,610
Total Employed3302,550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cape Coral ($103,936) and Miami ($104,585) occupational therapist salaries.Cape CoralMiamiMedian Salary$103,936$104,585Entry Level (P10)$69,411$68,710Top Earner (P90)$128,227$124,610US Median $103,400

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cape Coral.

The salary gap between Cape Coral and Miami is $649 (0.62%). Miami's median is +1.15% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cape Coral spans $58,816,Miami spans $55,900. Cape Coral has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cape Coral
P10 (Entry)$69,411
P25$85,797
Median$103,936
P75$108,739
P90 (Top)$128,227
Miami
P10 (Entry)$68,710
P25$83,324
Median$104,585
P75$109,738
P90 (Top)$124,610

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cape Coral ($101,551 effective) pays 10.84% more than Miami ($91,617 effective).

Cape Coral
Nominal: $103,936
CoL Index: 102.349
Adjusted: $101,551
Miami
Nominal: $104,585
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $91,617

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cape Coral if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($128,227)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,551)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,585/year)
  • Larger job market (2,550 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Cape Coral grew 11.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.3% growth in Miami over the same period.

Cape Coral, FL

+11.4%

$90,490 (2019) → $100,850 (2025)

Miami, FL

+30.3%

$77,880 (2019) → $101,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Cape Coral or Miami?

Miami has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $104,585/year, compared to Cape Coral at $103,936/year — a difference of $649 (0.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cape Coral and Miami?

Cape Coral occupational therapists earn $49.97/hr while Miami hygienists earn $50.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cape Coral to Miami as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cape Coral and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cape Coral = $101,551, Miami = $91,617), job availability (330 vs 2,550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Cape Coral vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $69,411 in Cape Coral and $68,710 in Miami. The Cape Coral area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov