What is the starting salary for Occupational Therapy graduates in Tampa?

The estimated starting salary for Occupational Therapy graduates in Tampa, FL is $50,500 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 101. The national average starting salary for this major is $50,000. Salaries in Tampa are 1% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Occupational Therapy degree worth it in Tampa?

A Occupational Therapy degree in Tampa has an estimated ROI payback period of 4 years, with a projected lifetime return of $494,904 after subtracting education costs. With 26 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $5,955/year, Tampa offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 6.8% and the major's national unemployment rate of 1.5% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Occupational Therapy in Tampa?

The average annual public university tuition in Tampa is $5,955, while private universities average $31,226/year. Including room and board ($9,194/year), total 4-year costs range from $60,596 at a public school to $161,680 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Tampa is $14,836/year.

What jobs can Occupational Therapy graduates get in Tampa?

Occupational Therapy graduates in Tampa can pursue careers as Occupational Therapist, Hand Therapist, Pediatric OT. Key skills valued by local employers include Patient Assessment, Treatment Planning, Adaptive Equipment, Rehabilitation. The Tampa job market features Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Hospitals, Rehab Centers, Schools.

How long to pay off student loans for Occupational Therapy in Tampa?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Occupational Therapy graduates in Tampa would pay $688/month on an estimated $60,596 in loans, with $21,971 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,186/month but save $11,429 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $50,500, monthly payments would represent 16% of gross monthly income.

Occupational Therapy Degree in Tampa, FL — Salary & ROI 2026

Occupational Therapy degree analysis for Tampa, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$51K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$79K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4 yrs

in Tampa

Cost of Living

101

index (100 = avg)

Occupational Therapy in Tampa, FL Overview

Tampa is one of Florida's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 30,905. Public tuition averages $5,955/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Occupational Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Assessment and Treatment Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Tampa is approximately $50,500, growing to $78,780 by mid-career.

Occupational Therapy Salary in Tampa (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Tampa's cost of living index of 101 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$50,500(+$500 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$78,780(+$780 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$90,900(+$900 vs national)

Note: National average Occupational Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Tampa adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.

Occupational Therapy ROI Calculator for Tampa

Estimate your return on investment for a Occupational Therapy degree using local Tampa tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $5,955 | Private avg: $31,226

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Tampa avg aid: $14,836/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$60,596

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$15,150

vs HS diploma in Tampa

ROI Payback Period

4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Tampa

$494,904

Lifetime earnings premium ($555,500) minus total education cost ($60,596)

Student Loan Payoff for Occupational Therapy in Tampa

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$60,596

Monthly Payment$688

Total Interest$21,971

% of Monthly Income16%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$60,596

Monthly Payment$1,186

Total Interest$10,542

Interest Savings$11,429

Colleges in Tampa for Occupational Therapy

University of South Florida

public

$6,410/yr

$25,640 total

University of Tampa

private

$31,226/yr

$124,904 total

Tampa General Hospital

public

$5,500/yr

$22,000 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Hillsborough Community College

$3,120/yr

Top Employers for Occupational Therapy in Tampa

Tampa offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Occupational Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

HospitalsRehab CentersSchoolsHome Health AgenciesNursing Homes

Key Tampa Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Occupational Therapy Job Titles

Occupational TherapistHand TherapistPediatric OT

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Florida Cities

Jacksonville, FL

$59K starting · COL 117

35 colleges

Miami, FL

$49K starting · COL 98

12 colleges

Orlando, FL

$48K starting · COL 96

16 colleges

St. Petersburg, FL

$49K starting · COL 97

22 colleges

Hialeah, FL

$39K starting · COL 78

22 colleges

Port St. Lucie, FL

$49K starting · COL 98.5

8 colleges

Tallahassee, FL

$45K starting · COL 89

11 colleges

Cape Coral, FL

$49K starting · COL 97.8

7 colleges

Other Healthcare Majors in Tampa

Pharmacy

$51K starting · 3.5 yr ROI

Health Informatics

$51K starting · 3.8 yr ROI

Nursing

$69K starting · 3.2 yr ROI

Healthcare Administration

$51K starting · 4 yr ROI

Dental Hygiene

$51K starting · 3 yr ROI

Speech-Language Pathology

$51K starting · 4.2 yr ROI

Public Health

$51K starting · 5.2 yr ROI

Radiologic Technology

$51K starting · 3 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Occupational Therapy degree outcomes in Tampa, FL: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Occupational Therapy programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Florida.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Tampa using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Occupational Therapy graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Occupational Therapy career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Occupational Therapy grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Tampa Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Florida students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Florida)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Florida programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "florida higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Occupational Therapy Degree in Tampa — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Occupational Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Tampa.

Occupational Therapy Overview Colleges in Tampa All Majors