Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Garner, NC: $67,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Garner, NC earns a median $67,255/year (≈ $32.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Garner's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $71,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Garner, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $67,255 in 2026, reflecting the local market's unique conditions. Pay ranges from $50,900 at the 10th percentile to $83,698 at the 90th percentile, showing significant variability among positions. These estimates derive from state-level BLS data and adjustments for regional cost differences, providing a contextual backdrop for assessing compensation. Although the figures indicate a competitive wage for the area, they remain approximately 9.52% lower than the national median of $74,332. This discrepancy could reflect Garner’s cost of living index of 93.6, which is below the national average, meaning that the disposable income for local COTAs may be better positioned for their lifestyle needs than the numbers alone suggest.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,900 | $24.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,108 | $28.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,255 | $32.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,454 | $35.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,698 | $40.24 |
Median Salary Position
9.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garner
In Garner, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,798 (2026 est.). At $67,255, the local median is 9.52% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Garner: You'd be above the median
How Garner Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Garner median: $67,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,131 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.52% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Garner, NC earn a median of $67,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.52% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $70,131.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garner 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.
Garner, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,255 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,854 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,654
2025 BLS Actual
$65,417
2026 Current Est.
$67,255
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,654 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,631 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,059 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,417 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garner metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,654 (2019) to $65,417 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,491 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garner 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) | $50,900 – $59,108 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,108 – $67,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,255 – $74,454 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,454 – $83,698 |
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 Garner
In Garner, only four occupational therapy assistants contribute to the local job market, indicating a stable yet somewhat limited employment landscape. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, they offer a reasonable purchasing power for residents. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offer the highest wages, whereas positions in school districts may offer less competitive compensation. Variations in pay can be attributed to different work environments and productivity expectations, with hospital settings often compensating better than outpatient clinics or educational contracts, particularly considering the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OT services. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Garner, pursuing opportunities in high-demand settings and negotiating for PRN shifts can be effective strategies to enhance earnings within this regional context.
More salary data for Garner, 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 $65,417 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Garner 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 Garner 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