Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Thomasville, NC: $33.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Thomasville, NC runs $33.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,778 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Thomasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,263 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Thomasville, North Carolina, stands at $33.06, which is slightly lower than the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate offers part-time professionals, particularly those working three days a week, a solid income, allowing them to balance their personal commitments while still securing a reliable paycheck. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants, the variation in hourly wages can be quite beneficial, as these professionals often take on roles in diverse settings—from skilled nursing facilities to outpatient clinics. The estimated hourly range in Thomasville spans from $23.63 for entry-level positions to $41.34 for those at the top of their game, highlighting the potential for growth within the field based on experience and setting.
About the Thomasville 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) | $23.63 | $189.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.95 | $223.63 |
| Median (P50) | $33.06 | $264.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.84 | $278.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.34 | $330.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thomasville
Based on $33.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.06/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thomasville, NC can expect to earn approximately $68,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,676. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Thomasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thomasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,322.55 | $5,731 | $68,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $793.53 | $3,439 | $41,263 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.02 | $2,292 | $27,509 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Thomasville) | $33.06 |
| 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 Thomasville, NC earn a median of $68,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.47% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $70,110.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.06/hr = $41,263/year (purchasing power: $44,085).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,772/year (purchasing power: $73,475).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Thomasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Thomasville grew 17.5% from $27.36/hr (2019) to $32.16/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.99/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 Thomasville 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 Thomasville
Looking beyond the hourly wage, part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week can find themselves in a different financial landscape when compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, those engaged in per diem work typically see compensation ranging from $30 to $45 an hour, though agency contracts may fluctuate based on demand and regional needs—commonly falling between $1,100 and $1,700 a week. Despite recent cuts in Medicare reimbursement affecting skilled nursing facilities, the variety within employer types in Thomasville—from schools to home health agencies—allows for negotiation around pay and benefits. Often, COTAs must weigh the trade-off between a higher hourly rate and the security of health benefits. Practical negotiation strategies can involve emphasizing specialized skills or demonstrating flexibility in work hours to enhance pay and overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Thomasville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Thomasville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Thomasville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Thomasville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Thomasville?
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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 Thomasville. 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 Thomasville 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