Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $66,230 a year ($31.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,420 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 5% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $69,390. There are 0.18 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $68,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| 25th percentile | $54,960 | $26.42 |
| Median | $66,230 | $31.84 |
| 75th percentile | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,420 | $40.59 |
| Average (mean) | $68,460 | $32.91 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants 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 | $5,519.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,759.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,547.31 |
| Weekly | $1,273.65 |
| Hourly | $31.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $75,620 | 170 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $74,290 | 80 |
| Asheville, NC | $72,840 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $72,780 | 450 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $70,150 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $65,730 | 300 |
| Greenville, NC | $64,680 | 70 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $64,010 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,440 | 80 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $63,120 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
See Occupational Therapy Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,230 | $21.27 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. 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 therapy assistant make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $66,230 a year, or $31.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $84,420 a year. The top 25% earn $77,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,850 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $54,960 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 60 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.