Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wilson, NC: $67,206 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Wilson, NC earns a median $67,206/year (≈ $32.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Wilson's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $71,801 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Wilson, North Carolina, can expect an estimated median annual salary of $67,206 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332 for the same year. Local compensation varies significantly, with salary ranges projected between $51,068 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $80,998 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect adjustments based on state-level estimates and the regional cost of living, which in Wilson is slightly below the national average. Understanding the productivity expectations tied to visits-per-day can further clarify how these factors influence potential earnings within the local job market.
About the Wilson Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,068 | $24.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,006 | $28.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,206 | $32.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,444 | $35.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,998 | $38.94 |
Median Salary Position
9.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilson
In Wilson, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,930 (2026 est.). At $67,206, the local median is 9.59% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilson: You'd be above the median
How Wilson Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Wilson median: $67,206/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,079 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.59% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wilson, NC earn a median of $67,206 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.59% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $70,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilson 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.
Wilson, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,206 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,801 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,613
2025 BLS Actual
$65,369
2026 Current Est.
$67,206
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,613 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,906 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,812 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,091 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,586 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,015 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,369 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,206 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,094 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilson metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,613 (2019) to $65,369 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,094 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,481 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilson 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) | $51,068 – $59,006 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,006 – $67,206 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,206 – $74,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,444 – $80,998 |
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 Wilson
Currently, there are seven occupational therapy assistants employed in Wilson, which indicates a niche but stable market. The local cost of living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that take-home pay has a favorable purchasing power in the area compared to the national average. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer lower pay rates, while hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient clinics tend to provide higher compensation. The disparity in wages can often be attributed to productivity expectations and the specifics of each employment setting, including increased income during weekend or PRN shifts. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring occupational therapy assistants in Wilson should consider targeting hospitals or outpatient clinics and pursuing opportunities to gain additional certifications or experience, which may also enhance their marketability and pay.
More salary data for Wilson, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Wilson?
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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 $65,369 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Wilson 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 Wilson 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