Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Morrisville, NC: $69,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Morrisville, NC earns a median $69,088/year (≈ $33.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Morrisville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $73,812 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Morrisville of $69,088 for 2026, individuals considering this career in North Carolina can expect a competitive wage within the local market. The salary range is significant, spanning from $49,881 at the 10th percentile to $80,232 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied roles and responsibilities within the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost differences, indicates that the earning potential for occupational therapy assistants is slightly below the national median of $74,332, by about 7.05%. Nevertheless, the job market for occupational therapy assistants in Morrisville remains strong, offering promising pathways for long-term growth as practitioners bridge from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degrees.
About the Morrisville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,881 | $23.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,088 | $33.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,138 | $35.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,232 | $38.57 |
Median Salary Position
7.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morrisville
In Morrisville, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,351 (2026 est.). At $69,088, the local median is 7.05% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Morrisville: You'd be above the median
How Morrisville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Morrisville median: $69,088/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morrisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,140 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.05% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Morrisville, NC earn a median of $69,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.05% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the North Carolina state average of $70,140.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morrisville 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.
Morrisville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,088 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,812 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,171
2025 BLS Actual
$67,200
2026 Current Est.
$69,088
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Morrisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,171 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,376 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,718 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,283 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,724 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morrisville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,171 (2019) to $67,200 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,859 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morrisville 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) | $49,881 – $58,780 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,780 – $69,088 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,088 – $73,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,138 – $80,232 |
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 Morrisville
With five occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Morrisville, the job market benefits from a relatively stable demand. The area’s cost of living index is pegged at 93.6, indicating that day-to-day expenses are somewhat lower than the national average, which can enhance the spending power of local salaries. Among prominent employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher compensation, particularly when accounting for the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has affected pay across various settings like outpatient clinics and school districts. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include the type of employment setting, differences in productivity expectations, and potential premiums for weekend or PRN shifts. To maximize earnings in this specific market, occupational therapy assistants in Morrisville should consider specializing in high-demand areas, seeking further certification or advanced degrees, and exploring roles that offer year-round contracts versus school-year positions.
More salary data for Morrisville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Morrisville?
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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 $67,200 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Morrisville 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 Morrisville 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