Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Salisbury, NC: $68,892 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Salisbury, NC earns a median $68,892/year (≈ $33.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Salisbury's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $73,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Salisbury, North Carolina, is set at $68,892. This figure reflects the unique local labor market, with salaries ranging from $49,413 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $79,661 at the higher end (90th percentile). These estimates, compiled from BLS state-level data and local cost of living adjustments, indicate a slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $74,332. As Salisbury continues to develop its healthcare offerings, occupational therapy assistants can expect competitive compensation reflective of their productivity and the growing demand for services.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,413 | $23.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,370 | $28.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,892 | $33.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,722 | $34.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,661 | $38.30 |
Median Salary Position
7.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salisbury
In Salisbury, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,248 (2026 est.). At $68,892, the local median is 7.32% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salisbury: You'd be above the median
How Salisbury Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Salisbury median: $68,892/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salisbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,083 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.32% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $68,892 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.32% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $70,083.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salisbury 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.
Salisbury, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,892 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,603 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$57,009
2025 BLS Actual
$67,009
2026 Current Est.
$68,892
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,009 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,548 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,106 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,546 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,009 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,892 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salisbury metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,009 (2019) to $67,009 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,819 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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) | $49,413 – $58,370 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,370 – $68,892 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,892 – $72,722 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,722 – $79,661 |
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 Salisbury
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Salisbury is relatively small, with only six professionals employed in this field. The local cost of living index stands at 93.6, translating to a more advantageous purchasing power for those earning a salary in this market. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher wages when compared to outpatient clinics and schools. Several factors influence the variance in pay, including work settings, productivity expectations, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on compensation structures, especially in SNF and outpatient scenarios. Occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize their pay may find opportunities in hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings or pursue contract work in the school district, particularly for year-round roles rather than temporary posts.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Salisbury, NC in 2026?
Is Salisbury, NC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Salisbury?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Salisbury?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Salisbury?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $67,009 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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