Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Lexington, SC: $34.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Lexington, SC runs $34.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,817 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,085 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Lexington, South Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $34.52, slightly below the national median of $35.74. This hourly pay reflects the rates typically seen in various work settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For part-time or per-diem workers, such as those working three days a week, this translates into just over $26,000 annually at a standard 24-hour workweek. Entry-level positions can begin around $24.96 per hour, while experienced professionals may earn up to $39.42 per hour. These figures are projected estimates based on 2025 BLS data, providing a clear overview of what COTAs can expect in terms of hourly compensation in this region.
About the Lexington 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) | $24.96 | $199.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.36 | $234.90 |
| Median (P50) | $34.52 | $276.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.25 | $290.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.42 | $315.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $34.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.52/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, SC can expect to earn approximately $71,809 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,428. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,380.94 | $5,984 | $71,809 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $828.57 | $3,590 | $43,085 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $552.38 | $2,394 | $28,724 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Lexington) | $34.52 |
| 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 Lexington, SC earn a median of $71,817 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.38% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $75,997.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.52/hr = $43,085/year (purchasing power: $47,088).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,809/year (purchasing power: $78,480).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lexington grew 17.5% from $28.57/hr (2019) to $33.58/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.49/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
When considering part-time employment, an occupational therapy assistant in Lexington working 24 hours weekly takes home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, highlighting the income disparity inherent in part-time roles. Per diem positions pay generally range from $30 to $45 per hour, and travel contracts could bring in $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. However, with market fluctuations and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on services since 2022, many COTAs in skilled nursing and outpatient settings may see decreased pay. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type—school district contracts and home health agencies might offer different financial incentives than hospital-based roles. It’s also wise for COTAs to consider the benefits trade-offs: accepting a lower hourly rate for the sake of health insurance and retirement plans versus higher pay without those benefits. Those seeking to negotiate pay in Lexington should aim for transparency and clarity about the responsibilities associated with the position while considering the local cost of living index.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Lexington in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Lexington?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Lexington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Lexington?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Lexington?
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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 Lexington. 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 Lexington 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