Occupational Therapist salary in Asheville, NC
Occupational Therapists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $83,660 a year ($40.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 10% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $92,940. There are 1.1 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| 25th percentile | $75,140 | $36.13 |
| Median | $83,660 | $40.22 |
| 75th percentile | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Average (mean) | $86,560 | $41.62 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,971.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,485.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,217.69 |
| Weekly | $1,608.85 |
| Hourly | $40.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $101,360 | 130 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $100,780 | 40 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $100,160 | 120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,400 | 830 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,450 | 1,140 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $96,820 | 270 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $93,780 | 260 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $86,870 | 30 |
| Wilmington, NC | $86,420 | 260 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $85,540 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $84,080 | 680 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $83,160 | 390 |
| Burlington, NC | $82,640 | 80 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $81,450 | 50 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $81,240 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| Physicians, All Other | $360,010 | $173.08 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,770 | $61.43 |
| Pharmacist | $136,460 | $65.61 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,260 | $63.11 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $225,830 | $108.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,170 | $48.64 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,480 | $47.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Veterinarian | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,630 | $107.51 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Dentists, General | $202,630 | $97.42 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,380 | $35.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Asheville, NC?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Asheville, NC metro area is $83,660 a year, or $40.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $109,300 a year. The top 25% earn $100,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,190 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $75,140 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Asheville, NC?
About 210 occupational therapists are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.