Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $68,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $68,661/year (≈ $33.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $73,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants are projected to earn an annual salary of $68,661 in Chapel Hill, NC, which marks a 7.63% decrease compared to the national median of $74,332 for 2026. The salary range for these professionals spans from $47,320 at the lower end (P10) to $88,243 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. Given the structural divide among occupational therapy workplaces—such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals—pay scales can differ significantly. The post-Medicare cut realities, particularly the 15% reduction in reimbursements for OTA services, have further impacted earnings, especially in SNF and outpatient settings in Chapel Hill.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,906 | $27.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,661 | $33.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,651 | $35.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,243 | $42.42 |
Median Salary Position
7.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,923 (2026 est.). At $68,661, the local median is 7.63% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be above the median
How Chapel Hill Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $68,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,133 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.63% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $68,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.63% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.10% below the North Carolina state average of $70,133.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,356 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,817
2025 BLS Actual
$66,784
2026 Current Est.
$68,661
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,817 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,138 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,538 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,590 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,817 (2019) to $66,784 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,590 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,773 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,320 – $56,906 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,906 – $68,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,661 – $74,651 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,651 – $88,243 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Chapel Hill
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Chapel Hill is relatively small, with just nine professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 93.6, indicating that housing and everyday expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance overall purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer the highest compensation compared to school district contracts and outpatient clinics. Several factors drive the disparities in pay, such as productivity expectations, the difference in responsibilities, and the fact that many school contracts are structured around a school year, while hospital settings typically offer more year-round opportunities. To maximize potential earnings, occupational therapy assistants should explore diverse employment settings, remain flexible with hours, and focus on contracts with medical facilities that allow for weekend or PRN work, which often comes with pay premiums.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $66,784 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Chapel Hill metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill 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