Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Greenville, SC: $75,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Greenville, SC earns a median $75,648/year (≈ $36.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $81,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated occupational therapy assistant salary in Greenville, SC, is projected to reach $75,648 per year, slightly above the national median of $74,332. This salary reflects a range from $53,513 at the lower tenth percentile to $82,978 at the top ninetieth percentile, illustrating a healthy income potential for these professionals in the region. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics (OEWS) surveys. The promising salary trajectory may encourage many certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) to bridge into a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program, significantly enhancing their lifetime earning potential as they advance in their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,513 | $25.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,426 | $31.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,648 | $36.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,372 | $37.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,978 | $39.90 |
Median Salary Position
1.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,465 (2026 est.). At $75,648, the local median is 1.77% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Greenville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Greenville median: $75,648/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $76,028 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.77% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Greenville, SC earn a median of $75,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.77% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.50% below the South Carolina state average of $76,028.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 6.74% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $75,648 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,115 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.23% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,530
2025 BLS Actual
$73,580
2026 Current Est.
$75,648
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,773 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 5.8% from $69,530 (2019) to $73,580 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,773 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,243 (11.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $53,513 – $66,426 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,426 – $75,648 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,648 – $78,372 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,372 – $82,978 |
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 Greenville
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Greenville is solid, with approximately 240 employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 93.26, indicating that residents enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle compared to national standards, thereby enhancing their take-home purchasing power despite the ongoing challenges in reimbursement rates following the 15% Medicare cut affecting OTA services. Employers that tend to offer competitive pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly for contract positions that may come with added productivity expectations or premiums for weekend shifts. The disparity in occupational therapy assistant pay in Greenville SC largely arises from variations in work settings—hospital environments typically yield higher salaries than outpatient clinics or schools, which often operate on tighter budgets. As COTAs navigate the local landscape, focusing on high-demand specialties or pursuing additional certifications could further optimize their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Greenville, SC in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Greenville?
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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 $73,580 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Greenville 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