Occupational Therapist salary in South Carolina
Occupational Therapists in South Carolina earn a median of $101,130 a year ($48.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,110 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $100,330. South Carolina ranks 18th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 0.80 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $97,180, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| 25th percentile | $82,000 | $39.42 |
| Median | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| 75th percentile | $109,720 | $52.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,110 | $59.19 |
| Average (mean) | $97,180 | $46.72 |
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 | $8,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,213.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,889.62 |
| Weekly | $1,944.81 |
| Hourly | $48.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $111,540 | 210 |
| Columbia, SC | $102,650 | 280 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| Pharmacist | $135,700 | $65.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $274,480 | $131.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,330 | $48.72 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Physician Assistant | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,530 | $43.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,640 | $76.27 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $359,500 | $172.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,200 | $115.00 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,480 | $127.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for occupational therapists in South Carolina is $101,130 a year, or $48.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in South Carolina earn at least $123,110 a year. The top 25% earn $109,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,370 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $82,000 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in South Carolina?
About 1,840 occupational therapists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.