Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Winston, NC: $72,121 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Winston, NC earns a median $72,121/year (≈ $34.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $78,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Winston, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $72,121 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $74,332 for the same year. The salary range for this profession in the area varies significantly, from $52,577 at the 10th percentile to as high as $98,009 at the 90th percentile. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate that the disparity in pay reflects the diverse settings in which occupational therapy assistants operate. As the industry adapts to the realities following the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for OTA-provided services, particularly affecting skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the resulting salary structure is impactfully shaped by employer type and patient care demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,577 | $25.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,948 | $30.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,121 | $34.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,521 | $38.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,009 | $47.12 |
Median Salary Position
2.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,432 (2026 est.). At $72,121, the local median is 2.97% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Winston median: $72,121/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,089 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.97% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Winston, NC earn a median of $72,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.90% above the North Carolina state average of $70,089.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $72,121 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,356 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,990
2025 BLS Actual
$70,150
2026 Current Est.
$72,121
2019–2027 Growth
+10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,121 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,148 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 4.7% from $66,990 (2019) to $70,150 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,148 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,158 (10.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $52,577 – $63,948 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,948 – $72,121 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,121 – $80,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,521 – $98,009 |
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 Winston
With around 90 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Winston, the local job market shows a moderate strength within the field. The cost of living index at 92.043 suggests that although salaries are slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power allows residents to manage their finances effectively. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehab tends to offer higher compensation compared to outpatient clinics or school district contracts. The notable salary spread can be attributed to productivity expectations, the value placed on weekend shifts, and varying contract lengths. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Winston, pursuing opportunities in high-demand environments like rehab hospitals or considering weekend and PRN positions can be advantageous strategies in navigating the local market influenced by current industry challenges.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $70,150 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Winston 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