Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Charleston, SC: $77,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Charleston, SC earns a median $77,899/year (≈ $37.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $77,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Charleston, SC, can expect a median annual salary of $77,899 in 2026, reflecting a competitive standing against the national median of $74,332. The projected salary range for this profession stretches from $60,175 at the P10 level to $96,148 at the P90 level, as derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. Given the structural divide between settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, COTAs may find their compensation varies significantly based on the employer. With the effects of post-Medicare cuts still impacting pay rates in some areas, understanding these dynamics is key for those considering their career options in the Charleston job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,175 | $28.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,143 | $30.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,899 | $37.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,235 | $40.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,148 | $46.22 |
Median Salary Position
4.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,973 (2026 est.). At $77,899, the local median is 4.8% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Charleston median: $77,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $75,999 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.80% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Charleston, SC earn a median of $77,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.80% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.50% above the South Carolina state average of $75,999.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,899 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,157 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,470
2025 BLS Actual
$75,770
2026 Current Est.
$77,899
2019–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 31.8% from $57,470 (2019) to $75,770 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,618 (39.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $60,175 – $64,143 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,143 – $77,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,899 – $83,235 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,235 – $96,148 |
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 Charleston
In total, Charleston hosts approximately 110 occupational therapy assistants, and the cost-of-living index of 100.962 indicates a slightly above-average living expense compared to the national baseline, which may affect take-home pay. Among local employers, those in hospital inpatient rehabilitation generally tend to offer the highest wages, while workplace settings like schools may provide lower salaries due to budget constraints. Factors influencing the pay spread include productivity expectations, incentives for weekend or PRN shifts, and traditional differences in compensation structures between year-round contracts and school-year positions. Understanding these drivers can aid in creating effective strategies for maximizing occupational therapy assistant pay in Charleston, SC, whether through seeking employment in high-paying environments or pursuing specialized roles that mitigate the impact of the recent Medicare reimbursement reductions.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Charleston, SC in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Charleston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Charleston?
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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 $75,770 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Charleston 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