Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Cornelius, NC: $33.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Cornelius, NC runs $33.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,181 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Cornelius's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,507 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cornelius, North Carolina, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $33.26 in 2026, which falls short of the national hourly median of $35.74. This compensation translates well for those considering part-time opportunities—such as working three days a week—allowing flexibility for work-life balance. With an hourly range running from $25.72 for entry-level positions to approximately $38.81 for the top earners, occupational therapy assistants in this area can find roles across various environments, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, classrooms, outpatient clinics, and through home health visits. These estimates are based on annual salary data and reflect present conditions in the field.
About the Cornelius 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) | $25.72 | $205.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.64 | $237.12 |
| Median (P50) | $33.26 | $266.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.25 | $282.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.81 | $310.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cornelius
Based on $33.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.26/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cornelius, NC can expect to earn approximately $69,179 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,911. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cornelius.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cornelius
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,330.36 | $5,765 | $69,179 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $798.22 | $3,459 | $41,507 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.14 | $2,306 | $27,672 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Cornelius) | $33.26 |
| 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 Cornelius, NC earn a median of $69,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% below the North Carolina state average of $70,092.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.26/hr = $41,507/year (purchasing power: $44,345).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,179/year (purchasing power: $73,909).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cornelius (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cornelius grew 17.5% from $27.52/hr (2019) to $32.35/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.19/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 Cornelius 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 Cornelius
Considering part-time work, a COTA in Cornelius working 24 hours a week can earn a solid annual income while enjoying a more adaptable schedule compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Cornelius typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, and many travel contracts offer weekly earnings of $1,100 to $1,700. The decline in premium pay for agency COTAs following the 2022 Medicare cuts may influence job choice, as some may opt for roles with comprehensive benefits despite potentially lower hourly rates. Hourly compensation can differ significantly across employer types; while skilled nursing facilities may offer standard rates, schools and outpatient programs could provide increased pay but without health insurance. For those negotiating in this market, articulating one's experience and understanding the value of benefits versus higher hourly pay can enhance the outcomes of salary discussions in Cornelius.
More salary data for Cornelius, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Cornelius in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Cornelius?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Cornelius paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Cornelius?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Cornelius?
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 Cornelius. 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 Cornelius 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