Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $37.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Raleigh, NC runs $37.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,745 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,652 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Raleigh, NC, earn a median hourly pay of $37.38, which ranks notably higher than the national median hourly wage of $35.74. This pay structure translates well for both part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. Those working three days a week could find their earnings supporting a stable income while enjoying the flexibility of part-time hours. Entry-level positions start at approximately $28.18, while more experienced professionals can command as much as $50.14 per hour, providing a diverse range of earning potential for occupational therapy assistants in this area, as reported by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.18 | $225.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.36 | $250.86 |
| Median (P50) | $37.38 | $299.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.05 | $328.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.14 | $401.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $37.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.38/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $77,754 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,858. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,495.27 | $6,479 | $77,754 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $897.16 | $3,888 | $46,652 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $598.11 | $2,592 | $31,102 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Raleigh) | $37.38 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $77,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.59% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 10.90% above the North Carolina state average of $70,104.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.38/hr = $46,652/year (purchasing power: $47,528).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,754/year (purchasing power: $79,214).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Raleigh grew 10.9% from $32.79/hr (2019) to $36.36/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.43/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Part-time occupational therapy assistants in Raleigh may earn around $46,921 annually for a three-day workweek, illustrating a practical avenue for those looking to balance work with life commitments. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Raleigh generally falls between $30 and $45 per hour, depending on the setting and agency, while travel contracts can yield between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, offering attractive short-term opportunities. The hourly rates can vary significantly across employer types. For instance, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab units may offer lower benefits packages, prompting some occupational therapy assistants to weigh the trade-offs between stability and higher wages at agencies. When discussing rate negotiations, consider the balance between hourly salaries and health insurance benefits, which can vary significantly and impact overall compensation in this competitive field.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Raleigh in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Raleigh?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Raleigh paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Raleigh?
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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 Raleigh. 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, 7-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