Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $36.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Greenville, SC runs $36.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,648 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,395 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greenville, South Carolina, the projected median hourly pay for occupational therapy assistants is $36.37, slightly surpassing the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate provides flexibility for part-time and per-diem workers, making it an attractive option for those who may not want to commit to a full-time schedule. For a typical 3-day work week, an occupational therapy assistant can earn approximately $1,171 per week, adapting easily to various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. The hourly wage range in this field spans from $25.73 for entry-level positions to $39.90 for experienced practitioners, according to the projected data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 figures.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.73 | $205.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.93 | $255.46 |
| Median (P50) | $36.37 | $290.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.68 | $301.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.90 | $319.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $36.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.37/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $75,658 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,649. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,454.97 | $6,305 | $75,658 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $872.98 | $3,783 | $45,395 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $581.99 | $2,522 | $30,263 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Greenville) | $36.37 |
| 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 Greenville, SC earn a median of $75,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.77% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.50% below the South Carolina state average of $76,028.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.37/hr = $45,395/year (purchasing power: $48,676).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,658/year (purchasing power: $81,126).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Greenville grew 5.8% from $33.43/hr (2019) to $35.38/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.40/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
Considering the earning potential, part-time occupational therapy assistants working three days a week can take home around $60,892 annually, a significant difference from full-time counterparts. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Greenville typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, offering opportunities for those preferring more flexible roles. However, travel contracts might present weekly earnings between $1,100 and $1,700, drawing a clear distinction between agency work and salaried positions. Types of employers in the area influence pay, with skilled nursing facilities, hospital settings, and school districts likely offering varying compensation packages. Some might choose lower hourly pay with benefits, recognizing that health insurance can substantially impact take-home income. When negotiating, emphasize local knowledge of salary standards while being prepared to discuss how skillsets align with employer payer needs, particularly in light of economic shifts affecting funding and reimbursement.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Greenville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Greenville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Greenville paid hourly or salary?
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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 Greenville. 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