Occupational Therapist salary in Columbia, SC
Occupational Therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $102,650 a year ($49.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,260 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $101,130. There are 0.70 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $96,940, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| 25th percentile | $84,240 | $40.50 |
| Median | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| 75th percentile | $106,830 | $51.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Average (mean) | $96,940 | $46.61 |
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 | $8,554.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,277.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,948.08 |
| Weekly | $1,974.04 |
| Hourly | $49.35 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $111,540 | 210 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $102,340 | 400 |
| Florence, SC | $101,510 | 80 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $100,820 | 70 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $100,760 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $99,880 | 260 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $98,530 | 320 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,450 | 1,140 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Chiropractor | $74,090 | $35.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $102,650 a year, or $49.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $112,260 a year. The top 25% earn $106,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,060 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $84,240 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Columbia, SC?
About 280 occupational therapists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.