Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Florence, SC: $74,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Florence, SC earns a median $74,763/year (≈ $35.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Florence's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.8), that paycheck buys what $86,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Florence, SC, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $74,763 in 2026, reflecting a competitive positioning against the national median of $74,332. The salary range in this sector stretches from $50,685 at the 10th percentile to $86,463 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate a healthy job market for this profession. Occupational therapy assistants in Florence play a vital role in patient care by providing crucial support to occupational therapists, which often directly aligns with productivity expectations and the number of patient visits per day in various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,685 | $24.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,061 | $30.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,763 | $35.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,463 | $41.57 |
Median Salary Position
0.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,778 (2026 est.). At $74,763, the local median is 0.58% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Florence median: $74,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $76,056 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.58% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Florence, SC earn a median of $74,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the South Carolina state average of $76,056.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 13.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 86.774 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $74,763 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,158 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.24% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,867
2025 BLS Actual
$72,720
2026 Current Est.
$74,763
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,867 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,306 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,867 (2019) to $72,720 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,997 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $50,685 – $64,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,061 – $74,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,763 – $79,410 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,410 – $86,463 |
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 Florence
With only 40 occupational therapy assistants employed in the Florence area, the local market offers a blend of opportunities that can influence overall compensation. The cost-of-living index at 86.774 suggests that purchasing power remains favorable, impacting take-home salaries positively. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to offer the most lucrative positions, particularly given the industry's response to the ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services. This reimbursement reduction has had a notable effect on pay structures across settings, with demand for weekend and PRN shifts also affecting income potential. To maximize earning potential in Florence, professionals should consider pursuing roles in higher-paying environments like hospitals or early intervention programs, focusing on productivity, and being flexible with their availability to capitalize on added premiums.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Florence, SC in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Florence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Florence?
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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 $72,720 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Florence 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, 5-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