Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Raleigh, NC: $77,745 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Raleigh, NC earns a median $77,745/year (≈ $37.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $79,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Raleigh, North Carolina, enjoy a projected median annual salary of $77,745 for 2026, which reflects a slight premium over the national median of $74,332, marking a 4.59% increase. Salary ranges for this role are noteworthy, extending from $58,622 at the 10th percentile to $104,280 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 data, projected into 2026, highlight competitive compensation in this field. As healthcare continues to evolve, those considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway may find significant implications for their lifetime earning potential. The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Raleigh is robust, suggesting favorable opportunities for both entry-level positions and career advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,622 | $28.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,233 | $31.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,745 | $37.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,384 | $41.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,280 | $50.14 |
Median Salary Position
4.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,658 (2026 est.). At $77,745, the local median is 4.59% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $77,745/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,104 | +10.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.59% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $77,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.59% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 10.90% above the North Carolina state average of $70,104.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $77,745 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,210
2025 BLS Actual
$75,620
2026 Current Est.
$77,745
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,745 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,930 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 10.9% from $68,210 (2019) to $75,620 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,930 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,720 (17.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $58,622 – $65,233 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,233 – $77,745 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,745 – $85,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,384 – $104,280 |
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 Raleigh
With around 170 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the Raleigh area, the local job market demonstrates steady demand for this profession. The cost of living index stands at 98.157, indicating that while expenses are slightly below the national average, this factor can enhance take-home purchasing power for residents. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, primarily due to their more complex patient needs, while outpatient clinics and school contracts might present additional flexibility but often at lower pay scales. Several factors contribute to the variance in salaries, such as setting differences, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on service delivery, and seasonal employment trends related to school contracts. To optimize earnings, occupational therapy assistants should consider maximizing their hours in settings that provide higher pay and explore specialized certifications or roles that leverage their skills more effectively in Raleigh, NC.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $75,620 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Raleigh 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