Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Florence, SC: $35.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Florence, SC runs $35.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Florence's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.8, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,856 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Florence, South Carolina, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at $35.94, slightly above the national median of $35.74. This competitive rate offers a solid opportunity for part-time workers, who may frequently seek positions in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and outpatient clinics. Those working three days per week typically find that this hourly compensation allows for a sustainable income, providing a balance between professional engagement and personal time. The hourly range for occupational therapy assistants in the region varies from $24.37 for entry-level positions to $41.57 for experienced practitioners, reflecting the demand and specialized skills required in this field. These figures are derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, making them reliable estimates for prospective COTAs in Florence.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.37 | $194.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.80 | $246.42 |
| Median (P50) | $35.94 | $287.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.18 | $305.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.57 | $332.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Florence
Based on $35.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.94/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Florence, SC can expect to earn approximately $74,760 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,131. With a cost-of-living index of 86.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Florence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Florence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,437.70 | $6,230 | $74,760 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $862.62 | $3,738 | $44,856 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $575.08 | $2,492 | $29,904 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Florence) | $35.94 |
| 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 Florence, SC earn a median of $74,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the South Carolina state average of $76,056.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.94/hr = $44,856/year (purchasing power: $51,693).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,760/year (purchasing power: $86,155).
CoL index: 86.774 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Florence grew 17.5% from $29.74/hr (2019) to $34.96/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.95/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 Florence 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 Florence
Part-time occupational therapy assistants in Florence can realistically earn about $46,830 annually when working 24 hours a week, markedly less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Florence generally ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, while travel contracts can bring in between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly, depending on the nature of the assignment and the demand for services. Hourly pay can differ significantly across employer types; COTAs in skilled nursing facilities or early intervention programs may experience flatter pay structures, while those in outpatient clinics could encounter more variability in rates. The recent 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services adds an element of challenge, leading some COTAs to opt for slightly lower hourly rates that come with essential benefits like health insurance. When negotiating, it is advisable to clearly understand the full compensation package, including potential benefits versus hourly rates, to maximize earning potential based on personal financial goals and work-life balance preferences.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Florence in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Florence?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Florence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Florence?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Florence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Florence. 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, 5-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