Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Asheville, NC: $36.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Asheville, NC runs $36.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,887 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Asheville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,933 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Asheville, North Carolina can expect a median hourly pay of $36.00, which is slightly above the national median of $35.74. This competitive hourly rate makes the profession attractive for both part-time and per-diem workers who may operate in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health services. For those working three days a week, the hourly earnings present a solid opportunity for supplemental income, while per-diem occupational therapy assistants might find flexibly paid engagements valuable. The hourly range for this profession extends from $27.46 for entry-level positions to $40.26 for top earners, reflecting the varying degrees of experience and specialization present within Asheville's health care landscape. The BLS-projected details for 2026 signify not only a promising hourly outlook but also an evolving landscape that supports growing career pathways for COTAs.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.46 | $219.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.17 | $249.38 |
| Median (P50) | $36.00 | $288.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.61 | $300.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.26 | $322.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Asheville
Based on $36.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.00/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Asheville, NC can expect to earn approximately $74,888 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,205. With a cost-of-living index of 96.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Asheville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Asheville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,440.16 | $6,241 | $74,888 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $864.10 | $3,744 | $44,933 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $576.06 | $2,496 | $29,955 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Asheville) | $36.00 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Asheville, NC earn a median of $74,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.75% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 6.80% above the North Carolina state average of $70,119.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.00/hr = $44,933/year (purchasing power: $46,560).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,888/year (purchasing power: $77,600).
CoL index: 96.506 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Asheville grew 11.5% from $31.40/hr (2019) to $35.02/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.02/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Asheville
Across Asheville, the potential for earnings takes on various forms, especially for part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week. Annually, they can expect to take home a respectable income, albeit lower than their full-time counterparts, emphasizing a strong need for professionals to assess their financial goals against work-life balance. Per diem COTAs generally find their hourly rates hovering between $30-$45, particularly useful for those seeking flexibility, while travel contracts range from $1,100 to $1,700 weekly, enhancing earning potential substantially in different settings. However, the dynamics of employer types in Asheville—ranging from skilled nursing facilities to school districts—often affect pay structures distinctly, resulting in a meaningful trade-off. Occupational therapy assistants may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, which can be crucial, especially in the aftermath of the 15% Medicare cut on OTA services. When negotiating, it's wise to know the market rates and be clear on the overall value of benefits offered versus hourly pay, enabling informed decisions that support both their professional aspirations and personal needs.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Asheville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Asheville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Asheville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Asheville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Asheville?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Asheville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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