Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Anderson, SC: $77,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Anderson, SC earns a median $77,393/year (≈ $37.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Anderson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $84,583 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Anderson, South Carolina, sits at $77,393, surpassing the national median of $74,332 by about 4.12%. This figure reflects a diverse range in earnings, with salaries ranging from $56,868 at the lower 10th percentile to $91,185 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, account for regional cost adjustments, ensuring a relevant perspective on pay trends in Anderson. The realities of working environments across skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals impact the salary structures, especially as the market adjusts to the post-Medicare cut landscape. Therefore, job seekers entering the occupational therapy assistant field in Anderson should be aware of the differences in pay and opportunities based on their chosen settings and specialties.
About the Anderson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,868 | $27.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,517 | $31.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,393 | $37.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,552 | $39.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,185 | $43.84 |
Median Salary Position
4.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anderson
In Anderson, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,317 (2026 est.). At $77,393, the local median is 4.12% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anderson: You'd be above the median
How Anderson Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Anderson median: $77,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anderson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $76,025 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.12% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Anderson, SC earn a median of $77,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.12% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.80% above the South Carolina state average of $76,025.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anderson has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anderson, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $77,393 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,583 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% 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
$64,044
2025 BLS Actual
$75,278
2026 Current Est.
$77,393
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Anderson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,044 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,532 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,896 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,114 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,278 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,568 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anderson metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,044 (2019) to $75,278 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,568 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,524 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anderson 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) | $56,868 – $66,517 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,517 – $77,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,393 – $82,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,552 – $91,185 |
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 Anderson
In Anderson, the employment outlook for occupational therapy assistants remains stable, with five professionals currently in the field. Given the city's cost of living index of 91.5, potential earnings may offer a favorable take-home purchasing power relative to other regions. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings typically command higher salaries compared to school districts or outpatient clinics. The disparity in pay can be attributed to variations in productivity expectations, compensations for weekend or PRN work, and the implications of year-round contracts versus academic year positions. Additionally, the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has particularly affected pay scales in skilled nursing and outpatient contexts. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Anderson, professionals may consider seeking employment in high-demand settings like hospitals or pursuing further education, such as the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, to enhance their qualifications and marketability.
More salary data for Anderson, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Anderson, SC in 2026?
Is Anderson, SC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Anderson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Anderson?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Anderson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South 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 $75,278 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Anderson 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 Anderson 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