Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Concord, NC: $36.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Concord, NC runs $36.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,050 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Concord's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,626 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Concord, North Carolina, the projected median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants is $36.56, surpassing the national average of $35.74. This hourly pay can be quite beneficial for part-time or per-diem workers, especially those who typically operate in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. With an hourly range from $25.17 for entry-level positions to $46.16 for seasoned professionals, COTAs can find flexible work arrangements to suit their needs. These hourly figures are estimated from annual salary data, yet they effectively reflect the earning potential in the local market, allowing occupational therapy assistants to tailor their workloads while still earning a competitive wage.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.17 | $201.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.35 | $242.80 |
| Median (P50) | $36.56 | $292.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.51 | $324.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.16 | $369.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Concord
Based on $36.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.56/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Concord, NC can expect to earn approximately $76,043 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,871. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Concord.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Concord
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,462.37 | $6,337 | $76,043 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $877.42 | $3,802 | $45,626 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $584.95 | $2,535 | $30,417 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Concord) | $36.56 |
| 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 Concord, NC earn a median of $76,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.31% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 8.50% above the North Carolina state average of $70,092.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.56/hr = $45,626/year (purchasing power: $48,746).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,043/year (purchasing power: $81,243).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Concord grew 17.5% from $30.25/hr (2019) to $35.56/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.59/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 Concord 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 Concord
For those working part-time at 24 hours per week, an occupational therapy assistant can expect to take home significantly lower annual earnings compared to full-time colleagues. Per-diem occupational therapy assistants typically earn between $30 and $45 per hour, making this a practical option for those seeking a non-traditional schedule. Travel contracts may yield between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, reflecting variability based on employer type, with skilled nursing facilities, hospital settings, and home health agencies all offering different hourly rates. Some COTAs choose roles with lower pay to acquire health benefits, while others prioritize higher hourly earnings without benefits. Negotiating terms effectively in Concord can involve showing willingness to take on roles in higher-demand settings or being open about health insurance needs to find a balance that suits both employer and employee.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Concord in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Concord?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Concord paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Concord?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Concord?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Concord. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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