Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Winston-Salem, NC: $34.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Winston-Salem, NC runs $34.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,657 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Winston-Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,599 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the expected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant is $34.93, which falls slightly below the national median of $35.74. This rate offers valuable flexibility for those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, and for those interested in per-diem opportunities. Typically employed in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and even in-home health visits, occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn within a range from $22.81 at entry-level positions to approximately $44.65 for those at the top of their field. These hourly rates are essential for understanding overall compensation since they are derived from projected annual salary data.
About the Winston-Salem 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) | $22.81 | $182.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.17 | $225.36 |
| Median (P50) | $34.93 | $279.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.82 | $310.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.65 | $357.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston-Salem
Based on $34.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.93/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston-Salem, NC can expect to earn approximately $72,664 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,922. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston-Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston-Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,397.39 | $6,055 | $72,664 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $838.44 | $3,633 | $43,599 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $558.96 | $2,422 | $29,066 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Winston-Salem) | $34.93 |
| 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 Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $72,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.25% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $70,132.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.93/hr = $43,599/year (purchasing power: $46,580).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,664/year (purchasing power: $77,633).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Winston-Salem grew 17.5% from $28.91/hr (2019) to $33.98/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.92/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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
Part-time occupational therapy assistants working 24 hours a week can expect to generate a substantial income while maintaining a flexible schedule. For instance, their annual earnings would reflect a significant contrast to full-time positions. Per-diem opportunities, where COTAs typically earn between $30 and $45 per hour, present a different facet of the workforce with unique challenges and benefits. Additionally, travel contracts for COTAs can range from $1,100 to $1,700 per week, though it's important to note that pay for agency positions in skilled nursing facilities might have decreased due to reimbursement cuts introduced after 2022. Different employer types in Winston-Salem often offer varied rates, as seen with school district contracts or outpatient clinics, which may provide lower hourly rates coupled with essential health benefits compared to higher-paying positions without such perks. For those negotiating their hourly wage, understanding the trade-offs between pay and benefits is crucial. Familiarity with local pay rates and an understanding of the impact of non-wage factors can provide occupational therapy assistants with leverage in salary discussions.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Winston-Salem in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Winston-Salem?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Winston-Salem paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Winston-Salem?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Winston-Salem?
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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 Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem 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