Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Greenville, NC: $66,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Greenville, NC earns a median $66,498/year (≈ $31.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $75,222 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greenville, North Carolina, the estimated occupational therapy assistant salary is projected at $66,498 in 2026, which falls about 10.54% below the national median of $74,332 for the same year. This discrepancy can largely be attributed to the structural divides in the local healthcare system, particularly between skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), school contracts, and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings. The projected salary range for occupational therapy assistants in Greenville spans from $58,190 at the 10th percentile to $87,286 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diversity in job roles and responsibilities. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. Employment of about 70 occupational therapy assistants in the area indicates a stable local job market, though the impact of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts looms large over pay scales in certain settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,190 | $27.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,819 | $31.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,498 | $31.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,261 | $39.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,286 | $41.97 |
Median Salary Position
10.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,096 (2026 est.). At $66,498, the local median is 10.54% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greenville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Greenville median: $66,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,071 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -10.54% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Greenville, NC earn a median of $66,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.54% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.10% below the North Carolina state average of $70,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 11.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.402 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,498 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,222 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,210
2025 BLS Actual
$64,680
2026 Current Est.
$66,498
2019–2027 Growth
+3.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,366 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -2.3% from $66,210 (2019) to $64,680 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,366 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,156 (3.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $58,190 – $65,819 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,819 – $66,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,498 – $81,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,261 – $87,286 |
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 Greenville
Analyzing the job market within Greenville, the cost-of-living index of 88.402 suggests that while the occupational therapy assistant salary may appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power in this area remains relatively competitive. Home health agencies, hospital rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics tend to offer the most attractive compensation packages. Factors such as experience, setting, work schedule, and additional responsibilities significantly influence pay differences. Particularly, hospital positions often command higher rates due to the productivity expectations that accompany acute care settings. Furthermore, COTAs who secure positions with year-round contracts may mitigate income loss attributed to the shifts in service reimbursement rates. To maximize earnings in Greenville NC, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should seek further credentials through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways or consider diversifying their skill sets to include specialties that are in demand locally.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 $64,680 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Greenville 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