Among Florida’s 20 metropolitan areas, 13 had wages significantly above the national average for occupational therapists, and 11 had significantly higher wages for physical therapists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. In 17 areas, respiratory therapists earned significantly lower wages than the national average. Regional Commissioner Janet S. Rankin noted that Sebastian was the only metropolitan area in Florida where respiratory therapists had significantly higher wages when compared to the nation. Nationwide, the average (mean) annual wage for occupational therapists was $74,970; for physical therapists, $79,830; and for respiratory therapists, $56,260. (See table A. For comprehensive definitions of metropolitan areas in Florida, please see Technical Note.)

Of the state’s 20 metropolitan areas, Miami had the largest number of occupational therapists (1,680), physical therapists (3,480), and respiratory therapists (2,240). Miami accounted for 29 percent of Florida’s employment in these three occupations followed by Tampa with 17 percent (4,390). Jacksonville (2,260) and Orlando (2,240) were the only other metropolitan areas where combined employment in the three selected occupations exceeded 2,000. (See table B.)

Wages for occupational therapists in metropolitan areas in Florida

Among the 13 areas where occupational therapists’ wages were significantly above the national average, Tampa ($88,570), Port St. Lucie ($86,100), and Cape Coral ($85,620) reported the highest wages. Gainesville ($61,760) registered the lowest wage in this occupation, more than $13,000 below the national average. Three of the four highest-paying metropolitan areas for occupational therapists were located on the southwest coast. (See chart 1.)

Wages for physical therapists in metropolitan areas in Florida

The Jacksonville metropolitan area paid the highest annual wage ($97,310) for physical therapists, more than $17,000 higher than the national average. Three other areas–Ocala, Naples, and Punta Gorda–had wages above $85,000. Wages in all four areas were significantly above the national average. At the other end of the wage spectrum, physical therapists in Palm Coast earned $67,400 annually, more than $12,000 below the national average. (See chart 2.)

Wages for respiratory therapists in metropolitan areas in Florida

At $58,020, Sebastian was the highest-paying metropolitan area in Florida for respiratory therapists and the only area in the state where wages were significantly higher than the national average. Crestview ($46,340) and Panama City ($46,540) were the lowest-paying areas for respiratory therapists. (See chart 3.)

These statistics are from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, a federal-state cooperative program between the BLS and State Workforce Agencies, in this case, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity in Florida. The OES survey provides estimates of employment and hourly and annual wages for wage and salary workers in 22 major occupational groups and about 800 detailed occupations for the nation, states, metropolitan statistical areas, metropolitan divisions, and nonmetropolitan areas.

Technical Note

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey is a semiannual mail survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands also are surveyed, but their data are not included in the national estimates. OES estimates are constructed from a sample of about 1.2 million establishments. Forms are mailed to approximately 200,000 establishments in May and November of each year for a 3-year period. The nationwide response rate for the May 2011 survey was 77.3 percent based on establishments and 73.3 percent based on employment. May 2011 estimates are based on responses from six semiannual panels collected over a 3-year period: May 2011, November 2010, May 2010, November 2009, May 2009, and November 2008. For more information about OES concepts and methodology, go to www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.tn.htm.

Nearly all the occupations in this release are 2010 SOC occupations; however, some are not. The May 2012 OES data will reflect the full set of detailed occupations in the 2010 SOC. For a list of all occupations, including 2010 SOC occupations, and how data collected on two structures were combined, see the OES Frequently Asked Questions online at www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm#Ques41.

OES data by state and metropolitan/nonmetropolitan area are available from www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm and www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm, respectively.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200; TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-877-8339.

Metropolitan area definitions

The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla. MSA includes Lee County in Florida.

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Fla. MSA includes Okaloosa County in Florida.

Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Fla. MSA includes Volusia County in Florida.

Gainesville, Fla. MSA includes Alachua and Gilchrist Counties in Florida.

Jacksonville, Fla. MSA includes Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns Counties in Florida.

Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla. MSA includes Polk County in Florida.

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Fla. includes Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties in Florida.

Naples-Marco Island, Fla. MSA includes Collier County in Florida.

North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Fla. MSA includes Manatee and Sarasota Counties in Florida.

Ocala, Fla. MSA includes Marion County in Florida.

Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. MSA includes Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties in Florida.

Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Fla. MSA includes Brevard County in Florida.                                       

Palm Coast, Fla. MSA includes Flagler County in Florida.

Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach, Fla. MSA includes Bay County in Florida.

Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, Fla. MSA includes Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties in Florida.

Port St. Lucie, Fla. MSA includes Martin and St. Lucie Counties in Florida.

Punta Gorda, Fla. MSA includes Charlotte County in Florida.

Sebastian-Vero Beach, Fla. MSA includes Indian River County in Florida.

Tallahassee, Fla. MSA includes Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, and Wakulla Counties in Florida.

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. MSA includes Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties in Florida.