Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Greensboro, NC: $76,378 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Greensboro, NC earns a median $76,378/year (≈ $36.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Greensboro's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $82,246 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greensboro, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 stands at $76,378, reflecting a competitive market compared to the national median of $74,332. With salaries ranging from $63,146 at the 10th percentile to $99,016 at the 90th percentile, this compensation is indicative of the productivity expectations within the field. The data derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) demonstrates that demand for occupational therapy assistants is robust, influencing compensation levels. Given the local focus on delivering quality therapy services, occupational therapy assistants in Greensboro can expect their pay to reflect their contributions within various healthcare settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,146 | $30.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,999 | $30.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,378 | $36.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,889 | $37.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,016 | $47.60 |
Median Salary Position
2.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greensboro
In Greensboro, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,870 (2026 est.). At $76,378, the local median is 2.75% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greensboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greensboro Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Greensboro median: $76,378/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,135 | +8.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +2.75% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Greensboro, NC earn a median of $76,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.75% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 8.90% above the North Carolina state average of $70,135.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greensboro has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greensboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.865 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $76,378 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,246 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,980
2025 BLS Actual
$74,290
2026 Current Est.
$76,378
2019–2027 Growth
+7.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Greensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,378 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,524 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greensboro metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 1.8% from $72,980 (2019) to $74,290 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,524 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,544 (7.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greensboro 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) | $63,146 – $63,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,999 – $76,378 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,378 – $77,889 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,889 – $99,016 |
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 Greensboro
With 80 occupational therapy assistants employed in the Greensboro area, job opportunities abound, yet the cost of living is relatively reasonable, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 92.865. This means that although salaries are generous, the purchasing power allows for comfortable living, which is a significant perk for current and aspiring COTAs. Employers that typically offer the highest compensation include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation, particularly as they demand higher productivity levels and may also pay premiums for weekend or PRN work. The spread in pay among various settings can stem from factors like Medicare reimbursement cuts affecting salaries, especially following the 15% reduction for OTA services effective in 2022. To maximize potential earnings in Greensboro, occupational therapy assistants should consider roles in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, where the benefits and pay tend to be more favorable. Additionally, seeking continuous education, such as COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, can further enhance earning potential and career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Greensboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Greensboro?
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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 $74,290 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Greensboro 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