Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Charlotte, NC: $74,825 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Charlotte, NC earns a median $74,825/year (≈ $35.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Charlotte's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $76,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Charlotte, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $74,825 in 2026, reflecting a slight premium over the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession spans from $60,072 at the 10th percentile to $81,436 at the 90th percentile, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. This competitive compensation is indicative of a strong demand for COTAs in the local job market, particularly as many professionals consider transitioning from a COTA to a Master’s level OT (MOT) to enhance their earning potential over their lifetime. Given Charlotte's growing healthcare sector, the occupational therapy assistant role offers promising opportunities for both entry-level and experienced practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,072 | $28.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,467 | $31.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,825 | $35.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,390 | $38.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,436 | $39.15 |
Median Salary Position
0.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlotte
In Charlotte, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,364 (2026 est.). At $74,825, the local median is 0.66% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlotte: You'd be above the median
How Charlotte Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Charlotte median: $74,825/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlotte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,127 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.66% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $74,825 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 6.70% above the North Carolina state average of $70,127.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlotte has a cost of living 2.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.348 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $74,825 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,863 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.72% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$64,820
2025 BLS Actual
$72,780
2026 Current Est.
$74,825
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,825 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,928 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlotte metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 12.3% from $64,820 (2019) to $72,780 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,928 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,108 (18.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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) | $60,072 – $66,467 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,467 – $74,825 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,825 – $79,390 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,390 – $81,436 |
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 Charlotte
The local market is robust, with approximately 450 occupational therapy assistants employed within the Charlotte area, which provides a solid foundation for job stability and growth. The cost of living index in Charlotte stands at 97.348, indicating affordability relative to the national average, which aids in sustaining purchasing power despite the challenges posed by the recent 15% Medicare cut affecting OTA services. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher compensation compared to outpatient clinics, schools, and home health agencies, largely due to more pressing productivity expectations and the nature of the services provided. To maximize earnings in this specific market, COTAs should consider pursuing contracts that offer year-round work, seek positions in higher-paying settings, and remain informed about potential changes in reimbursement policies that could influence pay scales.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Charlotte, NC in 2026?
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Charlotte?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Charlotte?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Charlotte?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North 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
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 $72,780 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Charlotte 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
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