Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Bluffton, SC: $34.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Bluffton, SC runs $34.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,350 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Bluffton's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,406 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bluffton, South Carolina, earn a median hourly pay of $34.78, slightly below the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate can accommodate various work arrangements, making it suitable for part-time COTAs who might work three days a week. Typical employment settings for these professionals include skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools, where hourly engagement allows for flexible scheduling. The hourly earnings for entry-level positions start at $26.01, while top earners can make as much as $42.67 per hour, illustrating the potential for career progression and specialization within the field. Such rates are based on estimates derived from annual salary data, thereby offering a valid reflection of the financial landscape for occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Bluffton.
About the Bluffton Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.01 | $208.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.23 | $241.81 |
| Median (P50) | $34.78 | $278.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.24 | $305.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.67 | $341.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bluffton
Based on $34.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.78/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bluffton, SC can expect to earn approximately $72,344 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,737. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bluffton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bluffton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,391.22 | $6,029 | $72,344 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $834.73 | $3,617 | $43,406 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.49 | $2,411 | $28,937 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bluffton) | $34.78 |
| 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 Bluffton, SC earn a median of $72,350 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.67% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.80% below the South Carolina state average of $75,998.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.78/hr = $43,406/year (purchasing power: $47,438).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,344/year (purchasing power: $79,064).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bluffton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bluffton grew 17.5% from $28.78/hr (2019) to $33.83/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.76/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 Bluffton 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 Bluffton
In Bluffton, a part-time occupational therapy assistant, working about 24 hours per week, brings home significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, given the lower overall work hours. Many COTAs explore per diem or agency positions, where they can earn between $30-$45 per hour, providing a potentially lucrative alternative but with less job security. Travel contracts for COTAs have become another option, with weekly pay ranging from $1,100 to $1,700, though the 15% reimbursement cut for Medicare services has affected some agency pay rates. Earnings may fluctuate depending on the employer type as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and schools often present varying pay structures. Occupational therapy assistants frequently face a trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates that include healthcare coverage; thus, striking a balance between earnings and job security is essential. For those negotiating hourly pay in Bluffton, emphasizing relevant experience or specialized skills can significantly enhance their appeal to recruiters and employers connecting through AOTA and NBCOT networks.
More salary data for Bluffton, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Bluffton in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Bluffton?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Bluffton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Bluffton?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bluffton?
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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 Bluffton. 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 Bluffton 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