Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Myrtle Beach, SC: $33.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Myrtle Beach, SC runs $33.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,800 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Myrtle Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,289 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $33.08 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $35.74. For those working part-time—like many COTAs navigating jobs in skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, outpatient clinics, and schools—this translates to a steady income when scheduled for three days a week. The hourly range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $27.77 and top earners reaching up to $41.12. This data reflects the competitive landscape for occupational therapy assistants in the region, where they often find rewarding roles in diverse settings, including home health visits that offer flexible scheduling and potentially lucrative pay.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.77 | $222.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.62 | $244.93 |
| Median (P50) | $33.08 | $264.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.70 | $293.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.12 | $328.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Myrtle Beach
Based on $33.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.08/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect to earn approximately $68,815 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,701. With a cost-of-living index of 93.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Myrtle Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Myrtle Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,323.37 | $5,735 | $68,815 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $794.02 | $3,441 | $41,289 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.35 | $2,294 | $27,526 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Myrtle Beach) | $33.08 |
| 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 Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $68,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.44% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 9.50% below the South Carolina state average of $76,023.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.08/hr = $41,289/year (purchasing power: $44,093).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,815/year (purchasing power: $73,488).
CoL index: 93.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Myrtle Beach grew 14.3% from $28.16/hr (2019) to $32.18/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.01/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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
Exploring earning potential as a part-time occupational therapy assistant reveals interesting dynamics. A COTA working three days a week for 24 hours could expect to earn around $38,174 annually, which provides a good baseline income compared to full-time positions. Per diem opportunities also paint a varied picture, with many professionals in Myrtle Beach charging between $30 and $45 per hour, or even higher for travel contracts, which can yield $1,100 to $1,700 weekly. Different employer types affect hourly wages as well; skilled nursing facilities may pay less due to the overlapped reimbursement cuts post-2022, while outpatient settings may offer more attractive rates. Some assistants prioritize higher hourly rates in agency work, though they may sacrifice benefits such as health insurance. When negotiating hourly pay, COTAs should consider the unique needs of their situation and the specific demands of prospective employers in Myrtle Beach to maximize their compensation.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Myrtle Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Myrtle Beach?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Myrtle Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Myrtle Beach?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Myrtle Beach?
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 Myrtle Beach. 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