Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in High Point, NC: $36.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in High Point, NC runs $36.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,201 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against High Point's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,126 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
High Point, North Carolina, offers a competitive occupational therapy assistant hourly pay, with a median rate of $36.16. This figure surpasses the national median hourly rate of $35.74, highlighting the regional advantages for professionals in this field. Such a rate provides solid compensation for part-time positions, where working three days a week typically results in substantial earnings while also allowing for flexibility. Per-diem occupational therapy assistants can expect to work in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school therapy rooms. In High Point, the hourly range for occupational therapy assistants spans from $25.92 at entry-level positions to $46.98 for those with more experience, revealing significant earning potential for both new and seasoned COTAs.
About the High Point 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) | $25.92 | $207.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.80 | $246.42 |
| Median (P50) | $36.16 | $289.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.85 | $326.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.98 | $375.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in High Point
Based on $36.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.16/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in High Point, NC can expect to earn approximately $75,209 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,390. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in High Point.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in High Point
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,446.33 | $6,267 | $75,209 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $867.80 | $3,760 | $45,126 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $578.53 | $2,507 | $30,084 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (High Point) | $36.16 |
| 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 High Point, NC earn a median of $75,201 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.17% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 7.30% above the North Carolina state average of $70,085.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.16/hr = $45,126/year (purchasing power: $48,211).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,209/year (purchasing power: $80,352).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in High Point grew 17.5% from $29.92/hr (2019) to $35.17/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.17/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 High Point 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 High Point
When examining part-time earnings against full-time work, a 24-hour workweek for an occupational therapy assistant in High Point can yield approximately $45,530 annually, illustrating a viable income strategy. For those engaged as per diem occupational therapy assistants, billing rates typically range between $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the setting and responsibilities. The changes to reimbursement rates following the 15% Medicare cut in 2022 have influenced pay structures across skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, leading many assistants to evaluate agency opportunities that may offer more competitive pay. Additionally, the payment landscape varies by employer type, with insights into hourly rates revealing that school districts may provide more stable benefits at lower pay, while agencies might offer higher pay at the expense of those perks. Negotiation tactics can be pivotal, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s market value and potential benefit trade-offs when considering multiple employment offers in High Point.
More salary data for High Point, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in High Point in 2026?
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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 High Point. 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 High Point 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