OT Assistant Salary

Statesville vs Winston: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Statesville, NC and Winston, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Statesville, NC
$69,523
$33.42/hr
Winston, NC
$72,121
$34.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricStatesville, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$69,523$72,121
Hourly Rate$33.42$34.68
Entry Level (P10)$51,002$52,577
25th Percentile$59,691$63,948
75th Percentile$75,597$80,521
Top Earner (P90)$84,276$98,009
Total Employed790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Statesville ($69,523) and Winston ($72,121) occupational therapy assistant salaries.StatesvilleWinstonMedian Salary$69,523$72,121Entry Level (P10)$51,002$52,577Top Earner (P90)$84,276$98,009US Median $74,332

Verdict

Winston, NC offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Statesville.

The salary gap between Statesville and Winston is $2,598 (3.74%). Winston's median is -2.97% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Statesville spans $33,274,Winston spans $45,432. Winston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Statesville
P10 (Entry)$51,002
P25$59,691
Median$69,523
P75$75,597
P90 (Top)$84,276
Winston
P10 (Entry)$52,577
P25$63,948
Median$72,121
P75$80,521
P90 (Top)$98,009

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($78,356 effective) pays 5.49% more than Statesville ($74,277 effective).

Statesville
Nominal: $69,523
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $74,277
Winston
Nominal: $72,121
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $78,356

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Statesville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,121/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,009)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,356)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Statesville grew 7.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.7% growth in Winston over the same period.

Statesville, NC

+7.1%

$63,119 (2024) → $67,623 (2025)

Winston, NC

+4.7%

$66,990 (2019) → $70,150 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Statesville or Winston?

Winston has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $72,121/year, compared to Statesville at $69,523/year — a difference of $2,598 (3.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Statesville and Winston?

Statesville occupational therapy assistants earn $33.42/hr while Winston hygienists earn $34.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Statesville to Winston as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Statesville and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Statesville = $74,277, Winston = $78,356), job availability (7 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Statesville vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $51,002 in Statesville and $52,577 in Winston. The Winston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov