Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $31.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Wilmington, NC runs $31.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,223 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,134 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Wilmington, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $31.36, which is lower than the national median of $35.74. This pay range is significant for those in part-time roles or seeking per-diem opportunities, particularly in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and even during home health visits. Entry-level occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn around $23.91 per hour, while top earners in the field may see compensation as high as $42.35 per hour. These figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2025, projected to 2026, providing a reliable benchmark for professionals considering various employment options in Wilmington.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.91 | $191.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.35 | $234.82 |
| Median (P50) | $31.36 | $250.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.33 | $322.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.35 | $338.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $31.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.36/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $65,223 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,628. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,254.28 | $5,435 | $65,223 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.57 | $3,261 | $39,134 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.71 | $2,174 | $26,089 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Wilmington) | $31.36 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $65,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.25% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.00% below the North Carolina state average of $70,132.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.36/hr = $39,134/year (purchasing power: $40,586).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,223/year (purchasing power: $67,643).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wilmington grew 15.1% from $26.50/hr (2019) to $30.50/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.24/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
An occupational therapy assistant working part-time for three days a week, totaling 24 hours, would take home approximately $38,254 annually, a notable difference compared to full-time earnings. Many per-diem and agency occupational therapy assistants in Wilmington might bill between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts typically bringing in $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. It’s crucial to recognize that specific employer types can affect hourly pay; for instance, positions in skilled nursing facilities may offer different compensation compared to roles in outpatient clinics or school districts. Some occupational therapy assistants may opt for lower hourly rates to secure health benefits offered by full-time positions, while others prefer the flexibility of higher-paying per diem jobs without those benefits. Negotiating hourly rates can often depend on experience, specialization within the field, and demand in the local job market, especially following changes to Medicare reimbursements post-2022.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Wilmington?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Wilmington?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
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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 Wilmington. 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