Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in South Carolina: $76,852 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $76,852/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $83,991 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Spartanburg ($86,040), North Charleston ($77,385), Charleston ($75,770).
In South Carolina, occupational therapy assistants are projected to earn an average median salary of $76,852 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $74,332, reflecting a 3.4% increase. The highest-paying city, Spartanburg, offers salaries around $88,458, while Conway has the lowest at $67,532, resulting in a salary gap of $20,926. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, local demand for rehabilitation services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. South Carolina has specific requirements for occupational therapy assistant licensure, including completion of an accredited program and passing a national certification exam. The state's scope of practice laws allow assistants to provide essential services under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists, expanding their role in various healthcare settings. Currently, there are around 785 occupational therapy assistants employed in the state, and the job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.81%, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. With key cities like North Charleston, Charleston, Greer, and Anderson offering competitive salaries, prospective occupational therapy assistants have promising opportunities in a state that prioritizes healthcare accessibility and support.
South Carolina Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $31,892 (lowest entry-level) to $98,284 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina occupational therapy assistants earn 3.39% more than the national median (+$2,520/year difference).
South Carolina Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in South Carolina range from $51,751 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $88,480 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,852. The South Carolina median is $2,520 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $36.95/hr. Approximately 785 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,481
2025 BLS Actual
$74,751
2026 Current Est.
$76,852
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,481 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,423 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,809 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,321 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,608 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,751 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,852 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.8% from $63,481 (2019) to $74,751 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,530 (24.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Conway | $67,532 |
| Myrtle Beach | $68,800 |
| Clemson | $70,016 |
| Tega Cay | $70,147 |
| Easley | $70,536 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg | $88,458 | 91.051 | $97,152 |
| North Charleston | $79,560 | 91.5 | $86,951 |
| Florence | $74,763 | 86.774 | $86,158 |
| Greer | $77,472 | 91.5 | $84,669 |
| Anderson | $77,393 | 91.5 | $84,583 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,751 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,852 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $88,480 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spartanburg | $88,458 |
| 2 | North Charleston | $79,560 |
| 3 | Charleston | $77,899 |
| 4 | Greer | $77,472 |
| 5 | Anderson | $77,393 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $77,149 |
| 7 | Columbia | $76,419 |
| 8 | Rock Hill | $75,728 |
| 9 | Greenville | $75,648 |
| 10 | Hilton Head Island | $75,525 |
| 11 | Aiken | $75,396 |
| 12 | Hanahan | $75,289 |
| 13 | Mauldin | $74,847 |
| 14 | Florence | $74,763 |
| 15 | Summerville | $74,445 |
| 16 | Simpsonville | $73,218 |
| 17 | Fort Mill | $73,183 |
| 18 | Goose Creek | $73,012 |
| 19 | Sumter | $72,410 |
| 20 | Bluffton | $72,350 |
| 21 | Lexington | $71,817 |
| 22 | Easley | $70,536 |
| 23 | Tega Cay | $70,147 |
| 24 | Clemson | $70,016 |
| 25 | Myrtle Beach | $68,800 |
| 26 | Conway | $67,532 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in South Carolina?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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