Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in North Carolina
Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $69,390 a year ($33.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,360 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $72,300. North Carolina ranks 22nd of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.32 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,270, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,130 | $26.50 |
| 25th percentile | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Median | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| 75th percentile | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,360 | $40.08 |
| Average (mean) | $69,270 | $33.30 |
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 | $5,782.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,891.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,668.85 |
| Weekly | $1,334.42 |
| Hourly | $33.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $66,230 | 60 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Orderly | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,530 | $17.08 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in North Carolina is $69,390 a year, or $33.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in North Carolina earn at least $83,360 a year. The top 25% earn $76,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,130 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $62,110 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in North Carolina?
About 1,590 occupational therapy assistants are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.