Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Mooresville, NC: $67,434 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Mooresville, NC earns a median $67,434/year (≈ $32.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Mooresville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $72,045 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Mooresville, North Carolina are projected to earn a median annual salary of $67,434 in 2026, reflecting the local market dynamics and productivity expectations that directly influence compensation. The salary range for this role spans from $51,543 at the lowest percentile to $84,099 at the highest, providing a broad spectrum for professionals based on their experience and workplace setting. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, incorporating regional cost adjustments to deliver an accurate representation for this area. As the demand for occupational therapy services continues to grow, the earning potential for occupational therapy assistants in Mooresville remains competitive, despite being slightly below the national median of $74,332.
About the Mooresville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,543 | $24.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,482 | $28.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,434 | $32.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,928 | $34.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,099 | $40.44 |
Median Salary Position
9.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mooresville
In Mooresville, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,556 (2026 est.). At $67,434, the local median is 9.28% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mooresville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mooresville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Mooresville median: $67,434/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mooresville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,098 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.28% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mooresville, NC earn a median of $67,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.28% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $70,098.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mooresville 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.
Mooresville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,434 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,045 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,802
2025 BLS Actual
$65,591
2026 Current Est.
$67,434
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mooresville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,802 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,002 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,288 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,792 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,591 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,434 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mooresville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,802 (2019) to $65,591 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,527 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mooresville 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) | $51,543 – $59,482 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,482 – $67,434 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,434 – $70,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,928 – $84,099 |
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 Mooresville
With only 13 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Mooresville, the job market for this profession is relatively small, yet it retains opportunities across various settings, including outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities. The cost-of-living index for Mooresville stands at 93.6, which is below the national average, meaning that the take-home purchasing power may be favorable for those entering the field. Generally, employers in skilled nursing facilities or hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer the highest wages, though pay can vary significantly based on productivity demands, patient load, and the specific employment type. Factors such as the 15% Medicare cut and the timing of school-year contracts can also impact earnings, urging occupational therapy assistants to consider balancing positions and opportunities that either provide premium weekend pay or year-round employment. For those aiming to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Mooresville, understanding these variations and seeking roles in high-paying settings will be key to enhancing overall compensation.
More salary data for Mooresville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Mooresville, NC in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Mooresville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Mooresville?
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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 $65,591 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Mooresville 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 Mooresville 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