Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Pinehurst, NC: $31.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Pinehurst, NC runs $31.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,980 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Pinehurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,992 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant in Pinehurst, North Carolina, can expect to earn an hourly median pay of $31.24. When compared to the national hourly median of $35.74, this rate reflects a slight lag. For those on part-time schedules, such as working three days a week, this equates to manageable earnings while offering flexibility. The hourly pay range for COTAs in Pinehurst varies from $24.24 for entry-level positions to $36.43 for the most experienced professionals, making it a viable option for both entry-level workers and seasoned practitioners. These figures, estimated from annual salary assumptions, are applicable across different work environments like skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, and home health settings, providing various pay experiences depending on the workplace dynamics.
About the Pinehurst 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) | $24.24 | $193.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.78 | $222.23 |
| Median (P50) | $31.24 | $249.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.27 | $266.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.43 | $291.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pinehurst
Based on $31.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.24/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pinehurst, NC can expect to earn approximately $64,987 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,493. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pinehurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pinehurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,249.76 | $5,416 | $64,987 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $749.86 | $3,249 | $38,992 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.90 | $2,166 | $25,995 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Pinehurst) | $31.24 |
| 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 Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $64,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.58% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.30% below the North Carolina state average of $70,097.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.24/hr = $38,992/year (purchasing power: $41,659).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,987/year (purchasing power: $69,431).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Pinehurst grew 17.5% from $25.85/hr (2019) to $30.39/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.12/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 Pinehurst 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 Pinehurst
Looking closely at the workplace realities for COTAs, those working part-time—around 24 hours weekly—may bring home significantly less annually than full-time counterparts. For the three-day-a-week schedule, this amounts to a practical income that may impact financial stability, especially when faced against rising living costs. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Pinehurst typically ranges from $30 to $45 an hour, depending on demand and agency flexibility. Travel contracts can present even more lucrative options, with weekly rates often exceeding $1,100. However, the decline in premium pay from skilled nursing facilities post-2022 reimbursement cuts necessitates a strategic approach when evaluating job offers. COTAs may need to weigh lower hourly rates against the benefits offered, such as health insurance. For effective negotiations, professionals should consider not only hourly pay but also the total compensation package to ensure it aligns with their career and personal goals in this competitive market.
More salary data for Pinehurst, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Pinehurst in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Pinehurst?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Pinehurst paid hourly or salary?
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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 Pinehurst. 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 Pinehurst 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